Popular in the Mediterranean region of Europe, Lupini Beans are often found at Italian fairs and as an appetizer at Spanish beer halls. In the past Lupins were rarely used as a grain food due the bitter taste from the high alkaloid content of the bean. In the last 30 years a strain with reduced alkaloid content has been developed, called 'sweet' Lupins. This 'sweet' strain still requires soaking and extended cooking to remove the alkaloids. All this effort is worth it. The Lupins family of the grain legumes are one of the highest in protein content, second only to soy beans.
The Fava Bean is a flat, oval bean that comes in an inedible large pod, the Fava is about 3/4 to 1 inch in length. The Fava has an assertive, almost bitter earthy flavor and granular texture. The Fava can also be referred to as a faba, broad, horse, English, scotch, field rounded, or Windsor bean.
