Many will be familiar with the slogan ‘Beans mean Heinz’. Those attending the University of West London’s ‘Future Plates, Future Chefs’ event on the 4 March learnt that beans means very much more than that. For Sustainable cuisine beans can make a significant impact. In their immense variety beans, with several hundred types, can be the basis for affordable and highly nutritious meals. Beans helping to solve the world’s hunger problem while at the same time being part of the battle to combat climate change.
Exploring Sustainable Cuisine with Future Chefs
The programme was aimed at those training to be chefs and nutritionists at UWL. The food event included other invited local businesses and organisations, including some of us from ActforEaling, making up the 70 people at the event. An introduction by a panel of experts set the scene, about the many types of bean that are grown around the world, their versatility. It also covered the extent to which different countries depend on them and their limited but growing use in the UK. Containing many different vitamins and minerals beans are also a valuable source of non-animal protein.
Did You Know? There are over 38,000 varieties of beans worldwide
Trainee chefs were encouraged to think creatively about the many ways they could use beans in their cooking. This is not only for mainstream meals but also in ‘high end’ catering for refined ‘foodie’ palates.
Beans is how Tasting stations
To highlight this participants were invited to visit various catering stations, where they were treated to a wonderful array of samples. Samples ranged from elegant savouries served in mini poppadom, made from chickpea flour. In comparison to surprising desserts with samples of different varieties of soya (bean) sauce. At one tasting station the samples had been made of items which would have gone to waste – including burnt toast!
Jenna Mossimann of Raising Nutrition workshop followed the food demos, that explored why there is a low bean consumption in the UK. Next went into what can be done to increase the consumption of beans.
Future Plates Future Chefs explored the many benefits of beans including their nutritional value, culinary uses, and sustainability credentials. Chef Bettina Campolucci Bordi introduced attendees to the Beans is How campaign. This campaign is looking to double the global consumption of beans and other pulses by 2028.
In the afternoon workshop groups discussed ideas for overcoming ‘bean resistance’ and why beans are not more widely used in the UK.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DAY
Food for Thought: Why beans?
- Beans are nutritious: Beans are nutrient-dense, rich in protein and dietary fibre, which is great food for your gut health.They have no cholesterol, are low in fat and rich in micronutrients including iron, potassium and B vitamins like folate.
- Beans are good for the planet: Incorporating beans into agricultural practices can improve soil and water quality. Beans reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers by converting atmospheric nitrogen into a plant usable form. In fact they improve soil quality as nitrogen fixers.. They use less water than many other crops, helping to conserve water. Used as an alternative to meat beans can help to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions which result from animal husbandry.
- Beans are affordable: Beans have been part of many global cuisines for millennia. You can purchase them dry, canned or jarred and they are shelf-stable and store for long periods of time.
- Beans are versatile: Push the boundaries of how the bean is used in your dishes. They can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or in between as snacks. Beans can also be served as standalone dishes, or incorporated into sauces,spreads, desserts, beverages and as toppings. Beans can also be elevated to fine dining, or gourmet street food.
This was a really lively, inspiring and tasty day.
For more information on Beans is How, delicious recipes and to join the movement, click here.
Want to take your own climate positive steps? Take a look and pledge to ActForEaling’s 10 Steps for a Greener Ealing
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