White lentils are a smooth-textured, fast-cooking legume prized for their neutral flavor and versatility in food applications. Often referred to as urad dal or split black gram, white lentils are widely used in Indian cuisine and increasingly adopted in global plant-based and gluten-free product development. Nutrada connects you with certified white lentil suppliers offering bulk, private label, and organic white lentils tailored to your manufacturing or retail needs.
Despite their name, white lentils are not true lentils (Lens culinaris) but come from the Vigna mungo plant, part of the Fabaceae family. Also known as urad dal, these legumes are technically beans but are categorized with lentils in many culinary contexts due to their similar use in soups, dals, and batters.
White lentils are rich in plant-based protein, fiber, and minerals such as iron and magnesium. Their quick cooking time, under 30 minutes without soaking, makes them a convenient option for commercial kitchens and pre-cooked food products. With a soft, creamy texture after cooking, they’re essential in traditional Indian dishes like dosa, idli, dal makhani, and vada, as well as in health-oriented packaged foods.
The rise of plant-based diets and gluten-free innovation is driving increased demand for white lentils in both traditional and modern food systems.
White lentils are typically available in the following forms:
These formats can be sourced in conventional or organic grades and are available in bulk packaging to support industrial processing, co-packing, or private label use.
Lentils also come in different colors, such as: yellow, green, red, brown and black.
White lentils are typically harvested between August and October, depending on regional climate and growing conditions. The harvest occurs once the plants have fully dried and the pods are mature, ensuring optimal nutrient retention and texture. After harvesting, the lentils are cleaned, split (if needed), and processed for commercial sale.
Year-round availability is ensured through large-scale production and post-harvest storage, supporting stable supply across seasons for global buyers.
India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of white lentils (urad dal), where they play a central role in vegetarian cuisine and religious food customs. India supplies both domestic and international markets, with an established infrastructure for processing and export.
These countries support robust supply chains that provide traceability, consistent quality, and regulatory compliance for food manufacturers and distributors.
While lesser-known outside of South Asia, white lentils are gaining traction in global food innovation due to:
White lentils’ mild taste, nutritional density, and fast cook time make them an appealing base for new product formulations across the health food, convenience, and frozen food categories. As plant-based diets gain popularity, white lentils are increasingly used in food products like soups and snacks, boosting market demand.
Nutrada connects buyers with verified white lentil manufacturers offering flexible sourcing solutions. Wholesale formats include:
Ideal for industrial users, white lentils in bulk are used in ready meals, batters, snack formulations, and packaged soups. Bulk supply includes standardized size, color, and moisture levels, ensuring batch consistency across production runs.
For brands launching retail packs or convenience foods, Nutrada suppliers offer private label services including white lentil pouches (100g–1kg), jarred products, or lentil flour with full support for branding, compliance, and packaging.
Certified organic white lentils are grown without synthetic inputs and processed in accordance with organic standards. Available in both whole and split forms, organic products are packed in sealed, moisture-resistant bags to preserve freshness during transport and storage.
Whether you're sourcing bulk white lentils for production or developing a private label product line, Nutrada offers a trusted network of global suppliers. Find white lentil suppliers on Nutrada and simplify your ingredient sourcing with transparency, documentation, and quality assurance.