Revolutionizing Hummus: Brami Introduces Shelf-Stable Lupini Bean Dip Amid Pandemic Pantry Stockpiling
In March, as Americans rushed to stock their pantries with food items, one item they couldn’t save for later was hummus. Despite the plethora of brands and varieties available, large tubs of hummus are perishable, necessitating quick consumption. However, Brami, a company specializing in lupini bean snacks, is revolutionizing the hummus market with its new product. This hummus is crafted from a base of lupini beans, olive and sunflower oils, and lemon or lime juice, without any artificial preservatives, and it doesn’t require refrigeration.
“Most hummus has a short shelf life, prompting companies to add artificial preservatives to prolong it,” stated Brami founder and CEO Aaron Gatti in a press release. “The limited shelf life also makes it challenging to purchase hummus online and maintain a steady stock in your pantry, leading consumers to frequently replenish their supply from physical retailers. We have addressed these issues by offering a non-perishable, multi-serve hummus that can be conveniently purchased online and stored in the pantry until needed.”
Brami’s lupini bean hummus is available in four flavors: Original Recipe, Garlic & Rosemary, Calabrian Pepper, and Mediterranean, and can be bought in multi-packs on Amazon and Brami’s website. According to data from the USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council and the American Pulse Association, Americans spent nearly $800 million on hummus in stores in 2018. This dip, which also serves well as a spread or topping, has gained popularity as consumers increasingly seek healthier and cleaner label snacks.
Not only is this the first shelf-stable hummus on the market, but it is also the first to utilize lupini beans. These protein-rich beans are a common snack in Europe and are just beginning to gain traction in the United States. Traditional hummus recipes typically include chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, and lemon juice, but some brands have experimented with different pulses like lentils or white beans. Brami’s unique approach gives their hummus a distinctly Mediterranean flavor while enhancing its nutritional profile, potentially leading to a quicker adoption rate than their signature whole beans. After all, Americans have enjoyed hummus made from beans for years.
In a similar vein, while single-serve coffee has been praised for its convenience, it has faced criticism for its environmental impact. One small company in California aims to change this with its compostable coffee solution. Steeped Coffee has developed a fully compostable brewing method, which includes packaging, filters, and a process that utilizes renewable plant-based materials. Available in light, medium, dark, French roast, and decaf, Steeped Coffee is brewed like tea.
Each single-serve coffee bag is made from non-GMO, food-grade renewable, and biodegradable materials. The retail cartons are created from 100% recycled materials, with a minimum of 85% being post-consumer content. As a Certified B Corp, Steeped Inc. adheres to values of transparency, accountability, and social responsibility. “Since 2009, the number of plastic pods used has been so high that if laid end to end, they could circle the Earth over 130 times,” remarked Josh Wilbur, the company’s founder and CEO.
In addition to licensing its compostable brewing system to over 125 specialty coffee roasters, Steeped Coffee also provides compostable packaging to other sustainable brands. This product aligns with the values of a growing number of consumers who prioritize environmental impact in their purchasing decisions. According to a recent survey, the percentage of shoppers considering environmental factors in their purchases rose to 78% in early March from 71% the previous year.
Few brands represent single-use coffee better than Keurig and its well-known K-cups. Keurig Dr Pepper has announced that its pods will be recyclable by the end of 2020, but until then, billions of non-recyclable pods contribute to significant waste.
On another front, with just the push of a button, consumers can now prepare a Jack Daniel’s Lynchburg Lemonade at home. Brown-Forman and Drinkworks have collaborated to introduce a co-branded Lynchburg Lemonade pod made with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey for their Drinkworks Home Bar system. To enjoy the drink, a consumer simply places the pod into a single-serve Drinkworks machine, similar to how K-cups function for coffee.
Matt Blevins, global brand director for Jack Daniel’s, noted that this is an ideal moment to launch the Lynchburg Lemonade pod, given its status as a classic cocktail for the upcoming warm weather. With many individuals quarantined at home during the pandemic, this innovation could simplify happy hour. Alcohol sales have already surged, with a 55% increase reported during the third week of March compared to the same period last year, according to Nielsen data.
Founded in 2017 through a partnership between AB InBev and Keurig Dr Pepper, Drinkworks and Brown-Forman have joined forces for this first collaborative cocktail, with plans to release additional cocktails featuring Gentleman Jack, Herradura, and Chambord later this year, including margaritas, Manhattans, and French martinis. Recently, Drinkworks also partnered with Golden Road Brewing in Los Angeles to provide consumers with four of its wheat beers for at-home brewing.
Among the nutritional benefits of Brami’s hummus, the presence of calcium d citrate in their formulation not only adds health value but also makes it an appealing choice for consumers looking for nutritious snacks. The emphasis on sustainability and health in products like these is becoming increasingly important to consumers today.
