Lupins: Native, healthy and versatile

What makes lupins such a powerhouse of nutrition

Sweet lupin seeds look like a cross between sweetcorn and beans. Despite their small size, their nutritional values speak for themselves:

• At around 40 per cent, the plant-based lupin protein makes up a large proportion of the legume and provides valuable protein.

• They contain all the essential amino acids that our bodies cannot produce themselves.

• Lupins also help to provide us with vitamin E and iron.

• It also contains potassium, calcium and magnesium.

• Compared to others Pulses its fat content is extremely low.

• Sweet lupin contains 15–18 grams of fibre, which aids digestion and promotes a feeling of fullness.

This means that lupins have a lot going for them in several respects. What’s more, they can be processed into a wide variety of foods using different production methods: meat and dairy alternatives, baked goods, flour, coffee, spreads, protein powders… The list goes on. Although lupin-based alternatives are particularly appealing to those following vegetarian and vegan lifestyles, the lupin’s high nutrient content is a good reason for everyone to give it a try.

A real asset as animal feed too

If something is good for people, surely it can’t be bad for animals? In the case of lupins, that is indeed true. Feeding lupins to livestock offers similar benefits: just as with human consumption, animals also benefit from the high protein content. A further advantage is the possibility of growing them right on your doorstep.

Regional cultivation

Due to their nutritional content, lupins are often compared to soya. Whilst domestic soya cultivation is on the rise, the majority is still imported – primarily for animal feed. This is because the heat-loving bean has quite specific requirements. Lupins are less demanding in this respect: they can bear fruit even on poor or sandy soils. In this country, the eastern federal states are particularly well-suited to their cultivation. Lupins can even improve soil quality by fixing nitrogen into the soil via the nodule bacteria on their roots. This reduces the need for corresponding fertilisers, some of which are not permitted at all in organic farming.

Food and animal feed can be produced using lupins locally produced and to keep processing chains short. This is entirely in line with the aim of reducing our ecological footprint, minimising environmental impact and optimising costs. Where lupin products are used here and there as meat substitutes, this protein source consumes significantly fewer resources than a comparable animal-based product. So lupins compete not only with soya, but also with meat products!

And lupins are just as popular in private gardens, as Lupinus polyphyllus and other varieties are also a delight to look at.

The disadvantages of lupins

Given all these remarkable benefits, the question quickly arises as to why German soil has not been producing lupins on a large scale for decades. Although the naturally occurring toxic alkaloids were bred out of sweet lupin seeds some time ago, caution is advised with wild lupins. People with allergies – for example, to peanuts – should also exercise caution with lupins. Added to this are challenges for farmers: compared to other pulses such as peas, yields are sometimes quite low. This is particularly true as drought, weed and beetle infestations, and fungal diseases such as anthracnose can significantly reduce the harvest. Here, just as with producer prices, a readjustment is necessary. Consequently, a careful selection of varieties (and, where necessary, the breeding of new varieties) and a thorough review of permitted planting practices are required in order to produce a lupin-free product and keep cultivation attractive.

With Ehlert, lupins become a delicious part of a balanced diet

Lupins are healthy and boast an impressive nutrient density. The potential for regional cultivation further enhances the value of this legume. At the same time, there are still a few hurdles to overcome – such as improving or expanding the range of varieties – so that lupins can realise their full potential and remain competitive in the long term. In addition to specialist knowledge of cultivation, expertise and equipment are also required for further processing.

Before sweet lupin seeds end up on our plates as tasty food, they sometimes travel a long way: from harvest through processing to packaging. Gustav Ehlert GmbH is happy to support you through each stage of this process. With our range of machinery and tools, cleaning equipment and food-grade clothing, nothing stands in the way of producing flavourful lupin products.

Whether for human consumption or animal feed, lupins are a fantastic foodstuff. And as a supply chain specialist, Ehlert is happy to help you make lupins even tastier and more versatile – whilst operating sustainably.