Tarwi (Chocho or Peruvian Lupin)

Lupinus mutabilis Origin: Peru Improvement status: Unknown Seeds per packet: ~20 Germination tested 12/2024: 87% Life cycle: Annual Called 'tarwi' in Quechua, and 'chocho' in Spanish, these white-seeded, purple-blue-flowered edible lupins from the Andes have long been an important staple food among certain Indigenous peoples. Bitter alkaloids should be leached from seeds before consumption by soaking in multiple changes of water over a few days (boiling a few times in different changes of water can work too). It has a relatively thin seed coat, allowing for easy cooking. The seeds are rich in both protein (40%!) and oil (20%), and they have a full suite of amino acids, making them more nutritious than soybeans. They are used in a range of dishes including soups, stews, salads, and other meals, although their use even in the Andes has been greatly reduced, replaced in many places by the fava beans introduced from Europe.Given these plants, which can reach four feet tall, require a long