Pulse Crops That Are Seeing a Revitalization in 2019

Posted by Gentle Processing™ on Apr 18, 2019

Pulse crops have proven to be a significant help for fighting hunger and nutrition in nations the world over, but where does all of this come from. There are many pulse crop export areas, but leading the pack is none other than Canada. Canada exports pulse crops to over 120 countries and in 2012 exported 3.4 million tons of vital crops totaling a staggering $1.8 billion in revenue. By far the largest market benefiting from Canada’s export of pulse crops is India taking up 27% of all exported crops. China is second at 13% followed by the United States at 8%, Bangladesh at 6%, and Turkey at roughly 4.4%, but which pulse crops are exported from Canada and making a comeback throughout the world?

Fava Beans

Some people say fava while others say faba, but no matter which way you spell it, Fava beans are among the top exported pulse crops in Canada. Their popularity has grown tremendously in the past few decades, but their origins remain a mystery. Evidence, however, of fava beans in ancient Greece prove that this pulse crop is older than any other utilized today. Fava bean plants yield anywhere from 25 to 50 pods per plant at a time, so they are quite a profitable bean and they are easily adaptable to a range of tasty dishes.

Soybeans

Soybean consumption has grown substantially in countries around the world and even if you are not a fan of the common soybean, it is likely you have eaten it in something at some point in your life. Soybeans are among the more adaptable pulse crops on the planet. They have been used as a meat substitute in beef patties and other meat products with great success. Uses for soybeans are truly endless and their nutritional value is staggering. Just 3.5 oz. of soybeans house 16.6 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber, 5.06 grams of polyunsaturated fat. These are just a few of the many benefits popular soybeans can bring to the table.

Lupin

Not everyone is as familiar with Lupins as they might be with the aforementioned fava and soybeans, but these little yellow legumes pack a nutritional punch that those in Mediterranean and Latin countries have enjoyed for centuries. Studies show that just 166 grams of lupin offer vitamins beneficial nutrients such as 98 mg of B9, 90mg of Magnesium, 1.99 mg of iron, as well as 25.85 grams of protein.

Processing Needs

Apart from being among the healthiest foods around, pulse crops have one thing in common. They all require expert processing to export safely out of Canada. Processing procedures vary greatly, but Gentle Processing™ has proven to be the best way to process the pulse crops you already love. With Gentle Processing™, pulse crops are processed without the use of harmful chemicals, solvents or radiation allowing them to maintain all available nutrients. How are your pulse crops being processed? If it is not by Gentle Processing™, you are missing out!