Whole peas, in split peas, are technically defined as being more than one half of a whole pea. When a pea is "split" successfully along its natural seam, each equal part is considered a split pea and the determination of whole peas is not a consideration. However, when the breakage occurs off the natural seam and one of the divided fractions is estimated to be 55% or more of a whole pea, it is to be considered a "whole pea". In the assessment of a whole pea, inspectors are to disregard the pea hilum.
The above images provide examples of what constitutes a whole pea and are not intended to represent any visual standard.
