Tesco and its suppliers have launched trial uses of “revolutionary crop” the fava bean across a host of different ranges and ingredients.
The retailer has partnered with fava bean processor AB Mauri and food manufacturer Samworth Brothers to include the beans in new products, increasing UK demand for the legume at the same time.
The UK harvests some 740,000 tonnes of fava beans each year on 170,000 hectares of land, and it is believed introducing the bean into a traditional five-year crop rotation on farms could deliver a fivefold increase in the amount produced – with a potential three million tonnes grown per year.
Fava beans, also known as broad beans, have been grown across the UK for thousands of years, but recently many have been exported to the Middle East rather than used in the UK.
The crop does not require additional chemical-based fertilisers, saving farmers money and improving soil fertility and organic content, helping to lock in carbon in the process.
“There is a huge opportunity to add fava beans to a number of products and ingredients – as a plant-based alternative to animal protein, but also in other areas such as bakery or food to go options,” said Andrew Dinsdale, UK head of sales at AB Mauri.
“Given fava beans enjoy ideal growing conditions here in the UK, the potential for it to form a key part of our diets in the future is really exciting.”
According to Phil Bowen, head of new product development at Samworth Brothers, fava beans offered a “locally sourced alternative to the pea and soya that is currently used” across the food sector.
“From initial kitchen concept work we are seeing excellent results across the Tesco range,” added Bowen. “It is so encouraging to see an alternative protein coming to market that not only drives carbon reduction, but also supports local farmers, giving them an alternative way to manage their soil and crops.”
The retailer is also trialling the use of fava beans in pig feed, as an alternative to South American-sourced soy.
“It really could be a miracle crop in terms of improving sustainability across our food system,” said Emily Rout, sustainable food and innovation manager at Tesco.
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