Lupini Bean

A large dried bean that is round in shape, white in color and similar to a fava bean. Both a sweet albus and bitter albus variety of this bean seed are grown for consumption, however, the bitter if not soaked may be toxic. Native to Italy, the bitter bean is soaked overnight and often marinated to remove the bitter taste that is due to higher levels of alkaloids contained in the bean. When soaked, the alkaloids leech from the bean into the water. It is also known as albus lupin, white lupin, European white lupin, or tremmocos. In addition to being a food source, this bean is ground into a powder to be used as a facial scrub in Mediterranean countries.