Sugar Sprint peas are a variety of sugar snap peas known for their sweet, crisp pods. They are edible-pod peas, meaning both the peas and the pod are consumed. These peas are often enjoyed raw or lightly cooked to preserve their crunchiness and flavor. They're rich in vitamins, particularly Vitamin C and K, and are a good source of dietary fiber.
The concept of sugar snap peas, including varieties like Sugar Sprint, traces back to ancient China over 2,000 years ago, but the modern sugar snap pea was actually reintroduced in the late 20th century. Dr. Calvin Lamborn, an American, is credited with creating the first modern sugar snap pea in 1979 by crossing a snow pea with a garden pea, aiming for a pod that was both sweet and could be eaten whole. This innovation revolutionized pea consumption, blending ancient cultivation practices with modern agricultural science.