Health
What is Lupin Flour?
Jun
If you are on a low-carb diet, you’ve probably heard of almond and coconut flours. But, have you heard of Australian Sweet Lupin (ASL) flour – or Lupinus Angustifolius – they have a stunning white flower? ASL flour is a legume flour that is rapidly increasing in popularity among vegans, coeliacs, and keto dieters. It’s made from ASL lupin bean, a high-protein, high fibre, low-carb legume vaguely related to soybean and peanut. For decades, lupini beans (Bitter Lupinus Albus) have been pickled and eaten whole in the Mediterranean regions. However, lupini beans did not become much of a popular food because of their bitter and high alkaloid properties. Recently, though with the growth of new varieties, a sweeter variety, the yellow centre of Australian Sweet Lupin beans have been ground and powdered into flour that can be used for low-carb baking.
What Is Lupin Flour and Is It a Keto Flour?
With 11g of dietary fiber and only 1g net carbs per 1/4 cup lupin flour, this low-carb flour fits perfectly into a ketogenic diet. Aside from having lower carbohydrates, it is also gluten-free, non-GMO, and minimal starch, making it low in the glycemic index. Beyond that, ASL lupin is rich in energy protein and contains bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, antioxidants, and phytoestrogens. You can use ASL lupin flour to make keto-friendly bread, pasta, biscuits, pizza crusts, muffins, tortillas, and more. You can even mix them into your juices and smoothies.
Ingredients And Nutritional Value Of Lupin Flour
Australian Sweet Lupin flour only consists of one ingredient: organic Australian Sweet Lupin beans. It’s made entirely from plant protein which makes it vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO.
When it comes to nutrition, lupin flour is a powerhouse. Every 1/4 cup serving of lupin flour contains 75g calories, 2g fat, 1g net carbs, 11g dietary fibre, 12g energy protein, and various vitamins and minerals. Not only does it help in weight management but helps improve your body processes. Here are some of the health benefits you can enjoy from consuming lupin flour:
1. Excellent Source of Complete Protein
With close to 50% protein by weight, lupin is a great meat substitute. And, compared to other plant-based proteins, they offer complete protein which means they also offer the nine (9) essential amino acids your body needs. By using lupin flour in your recipes, you can get more energy and higher muscle mass while experiencing lesser hunger and cravings. Moreover, the protein extracts of lupin also help to reduce blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
2. High in Dietary Fibre
Lupin is also high in dietary fibre, an essential part of a healthful diet. Fibre is crucial for keeping the gut healthy and reducing the risk of chronic health conditions. Among its many health benefits are protection against heart disease, better gut health, reduced diabetes risk, and weight management. Its high fibre content is also believed to relieve symptoms of certain types of cancers.
3. Nutrient-Dense
Lupin is a nutrient-dense food, consisting of high amounts of B group vitamins, magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorous, and other nutrients. This makes using lupin flour great for preventing diseases and keeping your body healthy. It also helps to boost your immunity, treat anaemia, strengthen your bones, and reduce the effects of aging.
What Does Lupin Flour Taste Like?
Australian Sweet Lupin flour has a neutral and somewhat starchy taste. However, its texture is very similar to wheat flour, which makes it a great substitute for baking. It is also fluffy, airy, and far less dense than most keto flours. Quite different to other bitter Lupin species, lupin flour does not have a bitter aftertaste, and is really easy to mix it with either regular wheat flour, almond flour or coconut flour.
Are There Harmful Effects Of Consuming Lupin Flour?
Australian Sweet Lupin is a type of legume related to peanuts and soybeans, and if you are allergic to them, there is a very slight potential you may be allergic to lupin – About 5% of people known to exhibit clinical symptoms of peanut allergy have been reported to show clinical symptoms when exposed to lupin. More information can be found here – https://www.allergy.org.au/hp/papers/lupin-food-allergy
If you’re interested in using lupin flour for your dishes, talk to our friendly staff at The Lupin Co. We are a 100% Australian-owned and operated food company dedicated to making people’s lives healthier by providing the best Australian Sweet Lupin flour in Australia. Aside from Australian Sweet Lupin flour, our other signature products include lupin flakes, our Super Lupin ready-to-bake range, lupin splits & lupin grits. We’re more than happy to share with you some lupin flour recipes and help you discover more lupin beans benefits. If you want to know where to buy lupin flour, we can give you directions to distributors near you. You can also order through our website or call The Lupin Co. today on +61 8 6263 1140 or enquiry@wp-0087-01.jtmi.cloud or any of the social media platforms.
