16 votes

Is this the protein plant of the future? New study finds ‘sweetness gene’ that makes lupins tastier

8 comments

  1. [2]
    rsl12
    Link
    Clickbait title. A summary of the article is "scientists have identified a single gene responsible for the 'sweet' varieties of lupins". The article has nothing to do with the 'future of food.'...

    Clickbait title. A summary of the article is "scientists have identified a single gene responsible for the 'sweet' varieties of lupins". The article has nothing to do with the 'future of food.'

    I've bought lupini a few times from an international market. At least in the form I bought them, they are a bar/snack food. There's a peel that's technically edible, and under that a firm bean that reminds me a bit of fava. Nice bean variety, but nothing in the article suggests that it's anything more than that.

    10 votes
    1. AgnesNutter
      Link Parent
      They sell them like this in Aus too. They’re great for when you’re craving something really salty but want to avoid chips

      They sell them like this in Aus too. They’re great for when you’re craving something really salty but want to avoid chips

      2 votes
  2. [5]
    Akir
    Link
    I had no idea that Lupins were legumes! I thought they were just flowers!

    I had no idea that Lupins were legumes! I thought they were just flowers!

    2 votes
    1. [4]
      RoyalHenOil
      Link Parent
      Legumes (that is, members of the Fabaceae family) are surprisingly diverse! They include not only beans, peas, and lupins, but also clover, vetch, carob, alfalfa, kudzu, licorice, indigo, redbud...

      Legumes (that is, members of the Fabaceae family) are surprisingly diverse! They include not only beans, peas, and lupins, but also clover, vetch, carob, alfalfa, kudzu, licorice, indigo, redbud trees, locust trees, wattle trees, and tons more.

      6 votes
      1. AgnesNutter
        Link Parent
        Wow, that’s a great fact! I had no idea either

        Wow, that’s a great fact! I had no idea either

        1 vote
  3. sparklingsquirrel
    Link
    There's this German brand, LUVE, which offers products like joghurt or ice cream made from lupins. They are all plant based dairy product alternatives and taste quite good. I never thought of...

    There's this German brand, LUVE, which offers products like joghurt or ice cream made from lupins. They are all plant based dairy product alternatives and taste quite good. I never thought of buying "pure" lupins since I also thought those products are somehow made of the flower. Will keep my eyes open if I can buy them somewhere.

    1 vote