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The mysterious bitter taste: Why should you care about this ancient food?
In the Andes region, there is a legume called Lupinus mutabilis. Although it is not widely known around the world, it has super nutritional value. This legume grows in the Andes Mountains and is cultivated primarily for its high-protein and high-fat seeds, known by various names such as "tarwi" and "chocho." Although its inherent bitter taste makes this food rarely heard of in the outside world, with the advancement of technology, this bitter taste has become less difficult to overcome.
This ancient food has been eaten by humans in the Andes for more than 1,500 years and has become an integral part of the local diet.
L. mutabilis has a long history of cultivation, originating in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, establishing farming systems that have had a profound impact on local culture and ecology. Preliminary research shows the plant contains more than 42 percent protein and up to 18 percent fat, which is comparable to soybeans. As human demand for plant-based protein increases, these mysterious beans may become a new choice for the public's diet.
Biology of plants
L. mutabilis is an annual plant that usually grows between 0.5 and 2.8 meters, depending on its growing environment and genetic characteristics. Due to their strong growth potential, species especially in the north often grow taller than those in the south. The plant's fruits are 5 to 12 cm long pods, each containing 2 to 9 seeds, with a growth cycle that can last up to 360 days depending on genotype and environmental conditions.
In addition, the plant's seeds have a tender shell that makes them easy to cook, and their content of essential amino acids, especially lysine, is critical to human health.
Human consumption and future potential
Even though L. mutabilis was once limited to outside markets due to its bitter taste, however, with the advancement of technology, it has become relatively easy to soak the seeds to remove their alkaline components. More Western countries have begun to take an interest in these ancient grains, especially as their potential as a source of plant-based protein is increasingly recognized.
The pulse also offers strong sustainability advantages in the labor-intensive and low-cost aspect of agriculture.
Scholars from many countries said that this ancient legume can not only add diversity to the daily diet, but also serve as a "green manure" to improve the soil structure and provide nitrogen fertilizer for subsequent crops, thereby promoting sustainable agricultural development.
Future Outlook
Scientists have been conducting in-depth research on L. mutabilis and hope to develop low-alkalinity and more disease-resistant varieties through cloning and selection. This will not only boost the livelihoods of local small farmers, but may also lead to more international market attention. Will the search for diversification of food sources lead to a revival of these ancient grains?
