What makes a bean a bean and what makes a pea a pea?

Black-eyed and Purple Hull Peas still dry just like a bean, and red beans or black beans also dry and can be canned like the peas.

Cause that guy who named the groceries said so.

My thought in this is that most beans are cooler weather crops and cowpeas “peas” are more of a summer crop. English peas are almost a winter pea. I could very well not have a clue what I’m talking about but it sounds good to me.

Aspect ratio (length to width) defines whether it’s a pea or a bean. The only exceptions I know of are 2 varieties of pea that have aspect ratios in the bean range, neither of which are native to or allowed in the states. Which would make you think they would be beans but the width and thickness of the hull at full ripeness is classic pea.

Do you shell peas or peel peas?
Could be the hill they grow in. Butter beans have a different hill than purple hill peas.