The EU-funded Smart Protein Project was founded to develop alt-protein products that are healthy, environmentally friendly, and increase food security. And it thinks four crops — lentils, chickpeas, fava beans, and quinoa — could be the answer.
German Researchers Unveil Legume-Based Alternative to Egg White Foam
Researchers from the LeguFoam project at Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute IVV have developed a legume-based alternative to egg white foam to make plant-based food “light and airy.” Initial assessments measuring the longevity of the egg-free foam showed that the new ingredient matches the quality of egg whites, while sensory tests revealed that it is tasty enough. Only individuals with refined palates detected a slight difference, the Fraunhofer Institute explains in the announcement. “More and more people are consciously maintaining a healthy diet and also looking for ethically unproblematic vegan products. We are addressing this need with the LeguFoam project,” Dr. Maike Föste, senior research scientist in the Food Process Development department at the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV, commented. Peas, lentils, and high-pressure …