If you have dried lupini beans, here’s the traditional preparation method.
Step 1: Sort the Beans
Spread the dried beans on a tray and remove:
- Broken beans
- Discolored beans
- Stones or other debris
- Any beans that look damaged or spoiled
Rinse the remaining beans thoroughly.
Step 2: Soak Them
Place the beans in a large bowl and cover them generously with plenty of water.
The beans will expand considerably, so use a container with plenty of room.
Let them soak according to the preparation method recommended for your particular variety.
Step 3: Cook the Beans
Drain the soaking water and place the beans in a large pot with fresh water.
Bring them to a full boil and cook until they become tender.
Cooking time can vary considerably depending on whether you’re using traditional bitter lupini varieties or a commercially prepared sweet variety.
Step 4: Remove the Bitter Taste
This is the most important part.
Traditional bitter lupini beans require repeated soaking in fresh water after cooking.
Drain the beans and cover them with fresh water. Change the water regularly until the beans have lost their characteristic bitterness.
Depending on the variety and preparation method, this can take several days.
Do not rush this stage.
The beans should not be eaten simply because they have been boiled once.
Step 5: Taste Carefully
Once the soaking process is complete, taste a bean.
It should no longer have a strong bitter taste.
If noticeable bitterness remains, continue changing the water rather than eating them.
If you’re unsure whether your particular variety has been properly debittered, use commercially prepared lupini beans instead.
Step 6: Add Salt
Once the bitterness has been removed, the beans can be stored in a light salt brine.
A simple brine can be made with clean water and salt.
Keep the beans completely submerged.
Step 7: Refrigerate
Transfer the prepared beans to a clean container and keep them refrigerated.
Always use clean utensils when removing beans from the container.
How Do Lupini Beans Taste?
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