Stuart McAlpine Lupin Crop, WOA

Stuart McAlpine with Lupin Crop © WOA

Agriculture / Agribusiness

WOA Pioneers Novel Lupin Fiber, a By-Product of Lupin Powder, Marking “Significant Stride” for Food Industry

Wide Open Agriculture announces it has successfully developed a groundbreaking lupin fiber, characterized by a smooth texture, solubility, and neutral taste, which is ready for commercialization. The anticipated market introduction of this lupin fiber is poised to enhance revenues and profit margins of the company’s production operations in Germany as it transforms what was previously considered a waste by-product into a lucrative revenue source. In collaboration with Curtin University, Wide Open Agriculture has also pioneered the creation of Buntine Protein® powder, a world-first innovation derived from lupins, and holds the exclusive, globally protected patent for this product. The lupin fiber in question emerges as a secondary by-product of Buntine Protein production. Notably, both the lupin fiber and Buntine Protein® boast solubility and are capable of …

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Wide Open Agriculture lupin

© Wide Open Agriculture

Company News

Wide Open Agriculture Secures Ingå Group as Exclusive Distributor for Lupin-Based Proteins in Europe

Wide Open Agriculture Limited (WOA), an Australian-based regenerative food and agriculture company, announced that it has signed a non-binding term sheet alongside Ingå Group (Ingå), a sustainable food ingredient developer. The term sheet outlines a proposed distribution and investment agreement that positions Ingå as the exclusive distributor of WOA’s lupin-based proteins in Europe. Recently acquired from German lupin protein producer ProLupin, WOA’s lupin-based protein isolates, which the company has branded Buntine Protein®, can be used in plant-based dairy, alternative meats, baked goods, and protein supplements. As part of the agreement, Ingå will invest €500,000 (A$825,000) in Wide Open Agriculture Germany GmbH, a subsidiary of WOA. This investment is expected to grant Ingå a 15% stake in Wide Open Agriculture Germany GmbH, valued at €2.9 million, …

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Lupini or sweet lupin beans

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Agriculture / Agribusiness

Is Lupin the Next Big Plant Protein? Newly Found Gene in Sweet Lupin Opens Doors for High-Protein Crops

An international team of researchers recently identified the “sweetness gene” responsible for low alkaloid levels (not bitter) in lupins. This discovery could accelerate the development of new bitter-free crops and another protein source for plant-based foods.  A legume from the family Fabaceae, Lupin rivals soybean in protein content (44%). They are high in fiber and low in sugars. Moreover, lupin crops are climate tolerant and have a great potential to recover poor soils. But this legume naturally accumulates bitter and toxic alkaloids unpleasant for the human palate. For decades, farmers have grown a sweet lupin variety at a small scale since crops can cross-pollinate and produce bitter lupins. But with this game-changing gene, farmers can grow sweet white lupin continuously and domesticate wilder varieties with …

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Wide Open Agriculture receives a grant from the Australian government to expedite the production of an oat drink enriched with lupins

© Dirty Clean Food

Company News

WOA Receives AUD$5M Government Grant to Produce Oat Milk Enriched with Lupin Protein

Wide Open Agriculture (ASX: WOA), an Australian agriculture and regenerative food company which owns the brand Dirty Clean Food, has received an AUD$5 million grant from the Western Australian Government to scale up the production of a new oat milk enriched with a lupin-derived protein called Buntine. A the end of 2021, WOA raised $20 million to build a production facility near a farming area of high-quality oats in Western Australia. The grand will expedite its establishment. At the facility, WOA will produce the new oat milk and lupin protein formula in various formats and will continue producing its already launched oat milk products— “the world’s lowest carbon” plant-based drinks. The new plant, expected to launch in Q3 2025, will feature novel manufacturing technologies to reduce production costs and …

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Wicked Ice Cream, Stew and Mac & Cheeze

©Wicked Kitchen

Products & Launches

Wicked Kitchen Expands Grocery Line with Birthday Cake Ice Cream, Heat-and-Eat Stews and Mac & Cheeze

Global plant-based brand Wicked Kitchen announces it is expanding its US grocery range with several varieties of heat-and-eat stews, mac ‘n cheeze and an all-new Birthday Cake ice cream pint. The company will be sampling its latest offerings at the upcoming Expo West in Anaheim, CA. According to Wicked, it is expanding its lineup during a time of “high growth” for the brand, as it continues to rapidly increase nationwide retail distribution points.  The new ice cream, stews and mac & cheezes add to the 50+ products Wicked already sells in the frozen and grocery categories. The latest offerings include: Birthday Cake Ice Cream Sweet “ice dream” with vegan cake pieces and rainbow sprinkles.  Heat & Serve Stews      Tuscan Style White Bean Stew …

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Wicked Kitchen Cookie Dough Ice Cream

©Wicked Kitchen

Marketing & Media

Wicked Kitchen Giving Away a Year’s Worth of Vegan Ice Cream for National Ice Cream Month

Wicked Kitchen, a global plant-based foods brand, is celebrating National Ice Cream Month in July with its “Scoop, Snap and Share” promotion. One winner will receive a year’s supply of Wicked Kitchen’s “game-changing” dairy-free ice cream and additional prizes. Elevating ice cream Beginning July 1, the brand wants fans to take a photo or video of any Wicked ice cream pint or novelty in a bowl, cone or recipe. Fans can then post and share the photo/video to Instagram, Facebook or TikTok, using the hashtag #WickedKitchen. All posts in July will be entered to win a year’s worth of ice cream, plus a Wicked goodie box and cookbook autographed by chefs Derek and Chad Sarno.  “Elevate National Ice Cream Month by enjoying our amazing, super-duper …

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©Quorn

Ingredients

WOA Signs Supply Agreement with Food Giant Monde Nissin for Australian Lupine Protein 

Wide Open Agriculture announces significant milestone in commercializing its Buntine Protein after locking in supply agreement with noodle giant Monde Nissin Australia Wide Open Agriculture (WOA), an Australian company whose subsidiaries include Dirty Clean Food and OatUP, has signed an agreement with Monde Nissin Australia to supply its plant-based Buntine Protein. Buntine is a lupin-based protein concentrate that WOA claims can be used as a main ingredient to replace animal-based ingredients in food and beverage applications.  In response to the growing plant-based foods sector, Monde Nissin Australia will use Buntine Protein – made with lupin seeds regeneratively grown in Australia – to develop various food and beverage products for the Australian market. It is estimated that Monde Nissin will purchase up to 60% of the …

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Sweet lupins

© iStock

Milk- and Dairy Alternatives

Sponsored Post

Sweet Lupines – for Prolupin it is the future protein source!

The future of plant-based protein supply is growing right at our doorstep: the sweet lupine. Its seeds are some of the most protein-rich edible plants around. We recognized that early on – and since then we process varieties of the sweet lupine specially adapted to the requirements of the food industry. Lupines can be used as a premium ingredient for a wide range of products across all market segments. Our LupiPrime protein, with a protein content of more than 90%, forms the perfect basis for cheese and sausage alternatives as well as health food products. Rich in protein with a neutral taste and a color coming close to the original – Cheese Alternatives with LupiPrime protein Unlike animal cheeses from cows, sheep or goats, which …

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Wicked Kitchen Ice Cream

©Wicked Kitchen

Food & Beverage

Wicked Kitchen Launches First-to-Market Lupin-Based Ice Cream in 2,000+ Kroger Stores

Wicked Kitchen, a 100% plant-based and flavor-forward global food brand, announces its new chef-crafted ice creams, sticks and cones are now available in 2,200 Kroger and Kroger-owned grocery stores including Ralphs, Fry’s, King Sooper and Fred Meyer. “Extraordinary creaminess” Wicked states the new ice cream, which is made from a unique base of lupin beans, represents the first such product to launch on the US market. Thanks to a proprietary blend of ingredients, Wicked’s ice creams offer exceptional creaminess, mouthfeel and flavor compared to other non-dairy ice cream brands, the company asserts.  The products debuting in Kroger and Kroger-branded stores include:  Ice cream pints in four flavors – Vanilla, Chocolate, Mint Chocolate Chip, and Cookie Dough. Chocolate & Almond Sticks – Sweet vanilla plant-based ice …

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©Wicked Kitchen

Food & Beverage

Wicked Kitchen’s “Game-Changing” Lupin-Based Ice Cream Coming to Kroger

Wicked Kitchen, a fast-growing vegan food brand, revealed it is launching a line of dairy-free ice cream crafted from lupin beans.  Set to roll out in April, the new treats will be available at over 2,000 Kroger and Kroger-owned grocery stores across the US. The line will feature pints in Vanilla, Chocolate, Mint Chocolate Chip, and Cookie Dough varieties, as well as three specialty cones and bars:  Chocolate and Red Berry Cone – A gluten-free maize cone with sweet ice cream, red berry sauce and chocolate chips Chocolate and Almond Bar – Vanilla ice cream and toasted almond pieces wrapped in a chocolate flavored coating Berry White – Sweet vanilla ice cream and swirled berry sauce wrapped in a white chocolate coating with red berry …

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© Eighth Day Foods

Investments & Finance

Eighth Day Foods Raises $1 Million for Lupin-Based Protein

Australian alt-protein company Eighth Day Foods has raised $1 million in seed funding for its lupin-based protein LUPREME®. The raise was completed in just two days. LUPREME is made from unprocessed sweet lupins, which are a rich source of protein, fibre, and other nutrients. Highly versatile, the protein can be used to make a variety of meat alternatives and is significantly cheaper to produce than meat.  Lupins are also extremely sustainable, helping to regenerate the soil as they grow. Currently, 95% of lupins grown are not used for human food, but some of these could be redirected to meet demand. Recognition and awards Eighth Day’s lupin-based protein has already received the seal of approval from Scott Findlay, a plant-based chef who has worked for numerous …

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PLANT B liquid lupin egg

©PLANT B

Products & Launches

Germany’s PLANT B Launches Lupin-Based Liquid Egg

PLANT B is set to launch a plant-based liquid egg alternative based on sweet lupin across Germany. The Hamburg-based food tech claims its new cruelty-free egg product offers the same functionality as conventional chicken egg but with 50% fewer calories.  After 15 months of product development to mimic the complicated structure of a conventional chicken egg, PLANT B Egg will go on sale as a ready-to-cook fresh product in April 2022. The product is a 100% plant-based alternative for scrambled eggs, cakes, waffles, or quiches and is aimed at health-conscious flexitarians and vegans alike. The launch comes as a new survey reveals that German consumers are buying plant-based eggs due to animal welfare concerns.  Lupin Protein Lupin is fast growing in popularity as a plant-based …

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Image: Scott Findlay on LinkedIn

Food & Beverage

Paul McCartney and Beyonce’s Private Chef Discovers “Breakthrough” Plant Protein

Plant-based chef Scott Findlay, who trained under Gordon Ramsay and has worked as a private chef for Paul McCartney, Rihanna, Beyonce, Madonna, and Elton John, has sung the praises of LUPREME®, a lupin-based protein developed by Eighth Day Foods. “I’ve yet to come across anything that is as versatile, delicious, and easy to work with” Findlay enthuses: “I’ve been specializing in plant-based recipes since 2004, when I first started cooking for Paul McCartney,” he said. “I’ve travelled all over the world using different plant-based products and I’ve yet to come across anything that is as versatile, delicious, and easy to work with as LUPREME. It’s amazing and I can’t wait to be working more with it.” Eighth Day Foods uses fermentation to lupin beans into …

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Lupini or sweet lupin beans

©DPI studio-stockadobe.com

Society

New Technology Unlocks the Australian Sweet Lupin as a New Source For Super Protein from Plants

Australia’s leading regenerative food and agriculture company, Wide Open Agriculture, has secured an exclusive global licence from Curtin University to develop plant-based protein from the lupin bean. Lupin has super high protein rivalling the protein content of soy but without needing genetic modification or phytoestrogens.

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Better Nature bites

©Better Nature

Fermentation

Better Nature Debuts Better Bites, Created With Fermented Lupin Beans

Better Nature, a UK brand specialising in tempeh and known for its popular vegan rashers and mince, is expanding its product range with Better Bites, now available in Saucy Stir Fry, Tantalising Taco and Moreish Masala flavours. The products are created with fermented lupin beans, as fermented food and drinks continue to trend globally.

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Prolupin

© Prolupin GmbH

Company News

Prolupin – Rising Star on the Road to Success

Prolupin produces plantbased products from the lupin bean as an alternative to soy, rice, almonds and coconut. The bean is similar in makeup to milk protein and as such is well suited for the production of milk product alternatives such as yogurt and ice cream. Here we are pleased to feature an end of year guest post from Prolupin about their successful product line, MADE WITH LUVE.

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Prolupin

© Prolupin GmbH

Interviews

Prolupin GmbH: “We See Lupin Beans as an Alternative to Soy, Rice, Almonds and Coconut.”

Milk alternatives from plant-based sources such as soy, rice, and almonds have been well-known for a long time. However, the use of sweet lupin beans is something relatively new to the market. Prolupin GmbH has been researching processing options for sweet lupin protein for many years, so that the positive properties of sweet lupins can be used in the best possible way.

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