Plant Protein Trends: Why Faba Beans Are on the Rise

Sponsored by Grain Processing Corporation

During SupplySide Global 2025 in Las Vegas, Grain Processing Corporation (GPC) announced its new faba-based ingredients—PURE-TEIN™ Faba Protein Concentrate and PURE-PULSE™ Faba Flour. Audrey Beeth, Manager of New Product Commercialization, highlighted the strategic rationale for expanding into these ingredients, noting the accelerating consumer demand for clean label, plant-based sources of protein and fiber.

These North American–grown faba ingredients are minimally processed, gluten-free, and allergen friendly, offering formulators a sustainable path to high-protein, transparent formulations. A key advantage is their naturally mild flavor profile: an independent sensory study showed that PURE-TEIN™ delivers superior overall liking compared to pea protein and performs on par with whey protein concentrate, without the strong “beany” notes common in other plant proteins. This allows brands to meet meaningful protein targets without relying on heavy flavor masking.

Functionally, PURE-TEIN™ provides more than 60% protein for high-protein applications, while PURE-PULSE™ contributes higher protein and fiber than traditional wheat flour. GPC has already demonstrated their versatility across bakery, snacks, alternative dairy, and more, showcasing prototypes such as high-protein bagels, pizza crust, and crackers that deliver strong nutritional profiles without compromising taste or texture.

As consumers continue to seek great-tasting, better-for-you foods with short, recognizable ingredient lists, these faba-based solutions offer a powerful combination of clean label appeal, nutritional density, and formulation flexibility. PURE-TEIN™ Faba Protein Concentrate and PURE-PULSE™ Faba Flour give developers new tools to create products that satisfy both modern expectations and real-world performance needs.