KANSAS CITY — Chickpeas are popping up in a plethora of new plant-based products in categories ranging from ready-to-heat beans and pasta to tortilla chips and coffee.
Mars, Inc.’s Seeds of Change brand is launching a line of U.S.D.A. certified organic, ready-to-heat beans, including Indian Spiced Style Lentils & Chickpeas. The dish combines red lentils and garbanzo beans with garlic, cumin and a blend of traditional Indian spices in a savory tomato curry.
Banza is launching Banza Plant-Based Mac, a plant-based and dairy-free macaroni and cheese alternative featuring chickpea pasta shells and vegan cheddar made with pumpkin and sweet potatoes.
Hippeas is expanding outside the puffed snack category with the launch of Hippeas Tortilla Chips. Made with chickpea flour, corn flour, sunflower oil, pea fiber and sea salt, the chickpea chips are certified gluten-free, vegan and U.S.D.A. certified organic. Varieties include Straight Up Sea Salt, Rockin’ Ranch and Jalapeño Vegan Cheddar, the latter two of which also contain rice flour.
“We are excited about the launch of Hippeas Tortilla Chips,” said Joe Serventi, chief executive officer of Hippeas. “They’re made with the nutritional profiles our consumers demand: organic, gluten-free, plant-based, and they taste great. This product expansion signifies the growth of Hippeas as a snacking platform and lifestyle brand that our fans know and love. We are extremely fortunate to be recognized as a brand that is pioneering the next generation of better-for-you snacking.”
Koia is entering the ready-to-drink coffee category with the launch of Koia Coffee, featuring complete protein. Made with organic, Fair Trade coffee, each bottle is infused with 9 grams of plant-based protein derived from brown rice, pea and chickpea. The coffee contains C8 MCT oil, coconut milk and 200 mg of caffeine from coffee and green coffee bean extract. Koia Coffee comes in three flavors: vanilla latte, mocha latte and salted caramel.
“Our mission is to offer delicious, convenient, nutritious plant-based products to everyone,” said Chris Hunter, co-founder and c.e.o. of Koia. “To do that, we focus not only on product availability through wide distribution options, but also by offering a wide variety of unique products that focus on different usage occasions. While there are some great products in the enhanced coffee space, no other product offers the quality of ingredients and a plant-based option, like Koia Coffee. We’re excited to unveil a premium quality coffee product that’s wholly plant-based, convenient and fresh, that will expand the Koia brand into a new cooler — the refrigerated coffee section — within retailer locations.”
