All about sweet lupin

What is sweet lupin?

Sweet lupin is a nutritional powerhouse legume. It is gluten free, high in protein (complete source), low in net carbohydrates (great for keto and diabetic friendly meals) and high in fibre. It is also high in potassium and iron. 

History:

Lupins have been harvested for thousands of years in the Mediterranean & South American regions. Lupins were consumed by early Egyptian & pre-Incan population. Lupin was also considered a great rotational crop acting as a nitrogen fixer and natural fertilizer for the soil. In late 1700s, Lupins were brought to Europe (especially northern Germany) from Mediterranean regions to improve the soil conditions. These varieties of lupin beans contained high amount of alkaloids (toxic & bitter in taste) and were prepared by soaking and cooking for long hours before consumption. This quality of lupin beans was prohibitive to its use in animal feed or human consumption. In 1930s, a group of German scientists cultivated first ever lupin variety called “sweet lupin” by traditional plant breeding method. This variety of lupin beans had less than 0.05% alkaloid level which was significantly lower than the earlier bitter variety. Sweet lupins were widely adapted throughout Europe and Australia thereafter.

What makes our lupin products special?

  • Unlike other lupin varieties available around the world, Our sweet white lupins are low in alkaloid content and therefore they don’t have to be soaked or cooked for hours before consumption. Flours and flakes available in the market which are made from other varieties of lupin beans / sweet lupin beans still taste bitter after processing. On the contrary, products made from sweet white lupin beans do not have any bitter aftertaste.
  • Not all sweet lupins are the same! There are a few kinds of sweet lupins harvested largely in Europe & Australia. Our procurement process involved trying and testing all kinds of sweet lupins available around the world. After thorough research, we selected only the best sweet lupins in taste and nutritional value.
  • Our products, made out of sweet lupins, are one of a kind. We sell a wide range of sweet lupin products including lupin crumbs, lupin semolina, lupin chunks, lupin flour and lupin splits. Our products make sweet lupins a very versatile ingredient in any recipe.

Good for the environment:

Lupin is a great rotational crop. It is a nitrogen fixer, acting as a natural fertilizer for the soil and reducing the need for chemicals.

Why do we claim that our sweet lupin is a “complete source” of protein?

Foods containing all 9 essential amino acids (histidine, isoleucine, leucin, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine) in quantities required by the body is considered a complete source of protein. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. 

Most of the meat and dairy products are a complete source of protein. On the contrary, plant based foods including most of the legumes, nuts, seeds, and vegetables contain one or more amino acids in such a low quantity that these foods are considered incomplete sources of protein. Our sweet lupin is one of those rare legumes which contains all 9 essential amino acids in adequate quantities that a human body requires from food sources.

Sweet lupin also contains:

3x more Protein than Quinoa

3x more Protein than Eggs

3x more Fibre than Oats

3x more Fibre than Prunes

3x more Potassium than Bananas

2x more Iron than Kale