When Isabelle Steichen relocated to the United States from Europe in 2013, her vegan lifestyle was not met with much surprise; rather, people were more interested in how she obtained her protein. As she shared with Food Dive, this led her and Alexandra Dempster to establish a brand that addresses this quintessential American concern with a distinctly European approach. Their new venture, Lupii, produces protein bars made from the lupini bean, a staple in Mediterranean cuisine. While this ingredient is relatively obscure outside its native region, where it is often pickled or used as a flour additive to enhance baked goods, Steichen humorously noted that the bean seems to have been “born in the wrong place,” given that Americans typically prioritize comprehensive nutritional content in plant-based foods.
“It has a higher protein content than soy, often regarded as the top plant protein,” Steichen explained. “… It’s low in carbs, rich in fiber, and contains a wealth of minerals. Additionally, it’s highly sustainable to cultivate… From every angle, it’s an extraordinary ingredient.” Aaron Gatti, founder and CEO of Brami Snacks, has highlighted the nutritional merits of the lupini bean as a core aspect of his brand’s narrative. Launched in 2016, Brami offers snackable lupini beans packaged conveniently. The beans are soaked and brined, allowing them to be consumed whole, resulting in a unique, al dente texture.
Brami’s packaging features a whimsical cartoon bean. The Garlic and Rosemary variety showcases a Roman soldier’s sword, shield, and helmet, paying homage to the ingredient’s historical significance. “Some consider it the most ancient legume known to humanity,” Gatti told Food Dive. “[It] traces back to ancient Egypt, and the Romans utilized them as portable protein for their soldiers, hence our ‘Bramus Romanus’ character and our positioning as the modern warrior’s snack. They have persisted since Roman times in the Mediterranean as a fresh bean aperitif, akin to edamame in Japan. You could argue they are the Mediterranean’s equivalent to edamame.”
With the rise of food manufacturers incorporating international influences and an increasing consumer demand for tasty, nutritious plant-based protein, lupini beans are gaining traction. Lupii and Brami are at the forefront of this trend, which has the potential to expand into various applications due to the bean’s versatility. Gatti recounted his childhood in Italy, where he was nearly addicted to snacking on lupini beans, available at family gatherings. As a child, he was unaware of their health benefits; he simply enjoyed their taste and texture.
It wasn’t until adulthood, after his wife, who was on a plant-based diet, tried the beans in Italy and encouraged him to launch Brami, that he discovered their nutritional advantages. Superfoodly reports that lupini beans contain more protein per 100-calorie serving than popular legumes like chickpeas and soybeans. They are complete proteins and high in fiber. “That was my ‘a-ha’ moment,” Gatti recalled. “…I faced daily snack dilemmas during my office days. At 4 p.m., I would wonder, ‘What can I snack on that satisfies my hunger without sabotaging my diet?’ Carrots and celery are dull and protein-deficient. While healthier snacks exist, many are still packed with calories, carbs, fats, or sugars. If you don’t adjust your meal plan, you risk exceeding your caloric intake.”
Brami’s preparation process involves minimal processing and few additives. Gatti emphasized the clean label of his snacks, expressing his desire to bring the “magic” of fresh Italian food to the U.S. Initially, he faced challenges in getting consumers to accept a chewy bean snack, given the prevalence of crunchy snacks. Some grocery buyers were skeptical about consumer interest in bean-based snacks.
However, the simplicity and nutritional benefits of the snacks appealed to both grocery buyers and consumers. Whole Foods Market quickly adopted the brand, noting strong sales. Brami’s potential caught the attention of Springboard, Kraft Heinz’s incubator program, which included it in its latest class. Gatti now receives positive feedback from a diverse array of consumers who appreciate the taste, snackability, and nutritional profile of lupini beans.
Brami has significant plans for the future of lupini beans. Previously sourcing beans from Chile, the company switched to exclusively using high-quality Italian beans last year. Gatti hinted at the development of additional lupini products. “We believe that real food, which hasn’t been overly processed, is always superior for health, resembling the Mediterranean slow food that we’ve made convenient for everyday enjoyment,” he stated.
Steichen, a prominent vegan blogger and podcast host known for her work with The Plantiful and Buddhalicious, met Dempster last year. Dempster, with a background in major food corporations like PepsiCo and Carlsberg, described their initial meeting to Food Dive as “love at first sight,” driven by a mutual desire to make highly nutritious plant-based foods more accessible. Together, they founded Lupii, a company dedicated to lupini bean snacks, which officially launched this month. The Lupii bars, available online and at select New York retailers, are clean-label, nutrient-rich snacks offered in three flavors: Tahini Lemon Cranberry, Almond Butter Cinnamon Raisin, and Peanut Butter Cacao Nib. Each bar contains nine to ten grams of protein and eight to nine grams of fiber, and they are non-GMO with minimal ingredients. The beans used in these bars are smaller “sweet lupini,” which possess less natural bitterness.
Dempster explained that the nutritional profile of the lupini bean allows Lupii’s bars to stand out in the market, filling a niche that few vegan bars can. Many protein bars rely on whey or egg whites, while plant-based options often contain heavily processed protein isolates that can be hard to digest. “You’re essentially removing a macronutrient from its whole food source, and we believe in maximizing nutrition from minimally processed real foods,” Dempster stated.
Steichen added that many other plant-based protein products are highly processed, often containing extruded proteins and sugary syrups. Common plant-based protein ingredients are dried, pulverized, and bleached, losing their original flavor and appearance. Conversely, lupini beans require minimal additional ingredients to be effective, and they do not need further nutrient enhancement. Lupii exclusively utilizes dates for sweetening, which Steichen and Dempster consider more natural compared to competitors’ sweeteners.
Currently, Lupii focuses solely on bars, but Steichen and Dempster have ambitious plans for a range of lupini bean products, given the bean’s widespread applications in Europe. It is often processed into flakes or flour to fortify baked goods, used as a dairy alternative and in ice cream, and incorporated into veggie burgers and tempeh. While specific future products remain under wraps, they believe lupini beans can meet the needs of consumers seeking to reduce animal-based ingredients in their diets. “You’re consuming an ingredient that is incredibly sustainable, and many consumers prioritize that,” Steichen remarked. “Health is often the primary motivation for choosing plant-based options, followed closely by environmental concerns. As I mentioned, lupini is a remarkable crop that benefits health, and many consumers are increasingly interested in supporting biodiversity, which our product can also promote.”
In light of the rising interest in plant-based diets, the nutritional benefits of lupini beans are becoming increasingly relevant. As consumer awareness grows, brands like Lupii and Brami are poised to lead the charge in providing nutritious, sustainable snacking options that cater to evolving dietary preferences. For anyone exploring plant-based nutrition, it’s worth considering alternatives like lupini beans—an ingredient that not only offers impressive nutritional profiles but also aligns with sustainable practices.
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