by Lupine coffee has recently gained popularity as a regional, sustainable substitute for imported coffee beans, as conventional coffee is under constant criticism due to its high water consumption and often poor growing conditions. But can lupine coffee keep up with the classic in terms of taste, preparation and stimulating function?
What are lupins?
The lupine – also known as wolf bean or lupine bean – is a protein-rich legume that can be grown quickly anywhere in Europe. It is relatively undemanding to grow and tastes grassy or beany. However, the taste can be easily neutralized and changed in the end product depending on the intended use. Due to their high protein content of up to 40 percent, sweet lupins are suitable as a vegetable protein source and are already commercially available in the form of yoghurt, ice cream, flour or protein powder. But how do lupine seeds perform in roasted form as coffee?
Is lupine coffee suitable as a coffee substitute?
What makes a good coffee substitute? Of course tastes are different, but a good coffee substitute should resemble the original with a full-bodied, slightly bitter taste with a subtle acidity. In terms of taste, lupine coffee ranges somewhere between malt coffee and conventional coffee beans. It comes quite close to the original, but has a flowery note and is very low in acidity.
The preparation of the lupine coffee is similar to the traditional one. You can brew it in the filter machine, cook it in the espresso pot or prepare it in the French press. This creates anticipation and the usual coffee feeling. So if coffee enjoyment is mainly about a warming, malty-bitter-tasting drink, lupine coffee is the right choice.
What are the disadvantages of lupine coffee?
The biggest difference to bean coffee is that lupine coffee contains no caffeine. For people who want to reduce their caffeine consumption, it is therefore a well-suited substitute. However, lupine coffee is not suitable as a pick-me-up. At most the placebo effect, which also occurs with normal coffee as soon as you drink it, can make you a little more awake. Similar to other legumes (peanuts, soy), the proteins in lupine are also a possible allergen. allergy sufferersSo those who react to peanuts and soybeans should proceed with caution and closely monitor their reaction to lupine products.
Tip: If your Decrease caffeine consumption replace your coffee bit by bit with lupine coffee, especially after lunchtime. So you could start by continuing to drink your regular coffee in the morning and switch to lupine coffee in the afternoon. Your sleep quality will noticeably improve due to the lack of caffeine.
Another disadvantage of lupine coffee is that it is still not commercially available. Although you can already find lupine products in most organic markets and drugstores, lupine coffees are still rare in normal supermarkets and discounters. In terms of price, however, the coffee alternative is also in organic quality extremely slow. Try it! Online, for example, you can buy 500 grams of precious lupine coffee from around 9 euros, or Amazon’s Choice with 500 grams for around 5 euros.
Sources: pubmed.gov, ugb.de, ndr.de, br.de, utopia.de
