World Pulses Day is Celebrated
World Pulses Day, celebrated every year on February 10th, emphasizes the importance of healthy and sustainable eating. Legumes such as chickpeas, dried beans, and lentils have been staples of Turkish cuisine for centuries...
Why Are Legumes Important?
Supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Pulses Day recognizes the critical role that pulses play in human health and food security.
Table of Contents
- With high vegetal protein content contributes to healthy nutrition.
- It is rich in fiber and supports digestion.
- gluten free, therefore it is a suitable alternative for celiac patients.
- Has a low carbon footprint, consumes less water and energy than animal proteins.
Pulses Consumption in Turkey
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry data, the annual pulse production in Turkey is over 1 million tons. The most consumed pulses and annual production amounts:
- Chickpea: 475 thousand tons
- Kidney Beans: 305 thousand tons
- Red Lentils: 228 thousand tons
- Green Lentils: 35 thousand tons
Pulses continue to be both a frequently preferred food group in kitchens and an agricultural product that supports economical and local consumption.
What Does the Research Say?
According to Hasata's research with more than 500 female consumers:
- 98% of participants They regularly have legumes on their tables.
- Being delicious, with a rate of 41% the most important reason for preference.
- Fast and good cooking 19%, and being nutritious stands out in consumer expectations with a rate of 13%.
This data shows how deep-rooted pulses are in Turkish cuisine.
Pulses and Sustainability
Pulses offer a sustainable option against the climate crisis. While it takes around 50 litres of water to produce one kilogram of lentils, it takes 13 litres of water to produce the same amount of red meat. This shows that plant-based protein sources are environmentally friendly options.
The Role of Pulses in the Future
Tiryaki Agro CEO Suleyman Tiryakioglu, stating that plant protein consumption is increasing worldwide, emphasizes that legumes will be the cornerstone of nutrition in the future. He states that plant protein consumption increased by 2020% and meat consumption decreased in the 200s.
Pulses will continue to be one of the most valuable food sources not only today but also in the future. Their frequent consumption should be encouraged and the production of these foods should be increased by supporting local producers.
Source: HORECA TREND and Tiryaki Agro
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