Lupini Beans (Termiye)

What Are Lupini Beans?

Termiye is the salted-brine form of the flat, round, yellow seeds of the bitter lupin (Lupinus albus, lupin) plant, eaten after their bitterness has been removed through lengthy processing. It is a popular snack in Mediterranean and Aegean cuisines, especially around Izmir; it is also known in Italian as “lupini.”

Raw bitter lupin naturally contains bitter, harmful alkaloids, so it must not be eaten as is. Soaking for days, boiling, and changing the water frequently removes the bitterness; the seeds are then kept in salted water until ready to eat.

Lupini Bean Nutrition

Prepared termiye, or boiled lupin in brine, contains approximately 120 kcal of energy per 100 grams, high amounts of protein and fiber, and some fat; it is a strong plant-based source of protein. Its sodium may be high because it is brined. Values are approximate.

How to Eat Lupini Beans Safely

Termiye should be eaten only after its bitterness has been completely removed; raw or insufficiently processed bitter lupin must not be consumed because of its alkaloids. Lupin can also be a legume allergen, so people with legume allergies should use caution. Consume it in moderation because of the salt in the brine.

This information is general; termiye is a food and is not a substitute for medical treatment.

How to Choose Lupini Beans

Good termiye has plump, bright yellow seeds that are firm to the bite but not bitter, kept in clean brine. If a bitter taste remains, it has not been processed enough; avoid cloudy or foul-smelling brine.

• The seeds should be plump and bright yellow
• No bitterness should remain
• The brine should be clear and smell clean

How to Store Lupini Beans

Store prepared termiye in its own salted brine in the refrigerator for a few days. Since seeds removed from the brine can spoil quickly, keep them in the liquid; rinse before eating if desired.

Using Lupini Beans in the Kitchen

Termiye is most often eaten as a salty snack: squeeze the skin and eat the inside. It is also served in salads, on mezze platters, and alongside a drink. The skin is usually removed and the inner seed is eaten.

How to Remove the Bitterness from Lupin Beans

First soak the seeds, then boil them and let them stand for several days, changing the water frequently; this cycle allows the bitter alkaloids to pass into the water and be removed. Once the bitterness is completely gone, transfer the seeds to salted brine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can lupini beans be eaten raw?

No. Raw bitter lupin contains bitter, harmful alkaloids. Only termiye that has been debittered through lengthy processing is safe to eat.

Can you eat the skin of lupini beans?

The skin is tough and is usually removed; when squeezed between the fingers, the soft inner seed comes out easily and can be eaten, while the skin is discarded.

Why are lupini beans considered high in protein?

Bitter lupin is among the legumes high in protein; for this reason, termiye is a popular high-protein snack in plant-based diets.