Vegconomist: Mikuna Launches The First Chocho Protein Powder

Vegconomist: Mikuna Launches The First Chocho Protein Powder

The plant-protein market just got a taste of something new. According to a recent feature by Vegconomist, Mikuna is introducing chocho — a historically Andean lupin legume — as the first lupin-based protein powder available broadly in the U.S. This isn’t just another vegan protein release; it’s a paradigm shift toward cleaner, more sustainable, nutrient-rich plant protein.

Here’s what makes this launch important — and why chocho deserves serious attention from anyone interested in nutrition, sustainability, and whole-food protein sources.

🌿 What the Vegconomist Feature Highlights

The article notes several standout attributes of Mikuna’s chocho protein powder:

• Chocho (Latin: Lupinus mutabilis) is a traditional Andean legume long cultivated in Ecuador and the Andes for its rich nutritional profile.

• The seed provides complete plant-based protein, naturally high in protein density, fiber, and micronutrients — making it a rare legume that competes with animal-based and isolate-derived proteins.

• Introducing chocho-based protein to the U.S. marks a first — no other mainstream protein powder in the U.S. market uses this lupin base.

• Mikuna emphasizes clean-label, whole-food processing — a stark contrast to many heavily-processed plant proteins on the market.

Because of these qualities, Vegconomist argues chocho has real potential to disrupt the protein-powder category: offering nutrition, environmental sustainability, and whole-food integrity all in one.

✅ Why Chocho Protein Is Worth Your Attention

If you’re evaluating protein powders — whether vegan, plant-based, or clean-label — chocho stands out for several reasons:

• Complete Amino Acid Profile: Unlike many plant proteins that require blending to be "complete," chocho naturally provides all essential amino acids.

• High Protein Yield & Fiber: Chocho delivers robust protein levels plus natural fiber, which supports digestion, satiety, and balanced blood sugar.

• Whole-Food Integrity (Not Isolated): Mikuna’s process does not rely on isolates or heavy chemical processing — meaning you get more of the seed’s original nutrients, not just stripped protein.

• Sustainability & Regenerative Farming: Chocho cultivation has low environmental impact, thrives in Andean soils, and offers a resource-efficient alternative to heavy agriculture.

• Unique & Novel Ingredient: As a lesser-known legume in mainstream Western diet, chocho provides novelty and differentiation — interesting for consumers tired of the same old pea/soy/rice proteins.

🍽️ How to Use Chocho Protein in Everyday Life

The launch isn’t just about powders or shakes. Because chocho protein is versatile and whole-food-based, you can integrate it into many routines:

• Smoothies and protein shakes — post-workout or breakfast

• Oatmeal, porridge, or breakfast bowls for clean protein + fiber

• Baking — pancakes, muffins, protein bars — leveraging chocho’s neutral, mild flavor

• Savory dishes — grain bowls, soups, vegan/vegetarian plates needing a protein boost

• Everyday meal-enhancing — blending into recipes just like a whole-food ingredient

Explore more ways to use chocho: → Mikuna Recipes Hub

🌎 What This Launch Means for the Future of Plant Protein

The introduction of chocho protein to the U.S. market could mark an inflection point — for both consumer nutrition and sustainable agriculture. Some potential impacts:

• Expanding consumer choice: giving clean-eating consumers a whole-food, nutrient-dense alternative to isolates, blends, or dairy proteins.

• Promoting regenerative agriculture: supporting Andean small-scale farmers and traditional legume cultivation rather than industrial monocultures.

• Pushing industry standards: encouraging other brands to consider whole-food legumes and transparent sourcing instead of over-processing.

• Diversifying the food-system seed base: helping revive ancestral crops that may be more resilient and ecologically beneficial.

Link to Article: 

https://vegconomist.com/products-launches/mikuna-introduces-chocho/