The Power of Chocho — Mikuna Brings the Andes’ Hidden Superfood to You

Link to Article: https://www.hola.com/us/food/20220923337396/chocho-superfood-grown-ecuador/

The Power of Chocho — Why Mikuna Brings the Andes’ Hidden Superfood to You

If you’ve never heard of chocho — the Andean legume at the heart of Mikuna — you’re about to discover one of the most nutrient-dense, sustainably grown plant proteins on the market. Chocho (Lupinus mutabilis), native to the highlands of Ecuador and the Andes, has been a staple in Andean diets for centuries. Now, Mikuna is reintroducing this ancient superfood to a global audience — combining ancestral nutrition with modern clean-eating standards.

Here’s why chocho has the potential to change how we think about plant protein — and why Mikuna’s mission matters.

🌱 What Is Chocho — A Hidden Gem of the Andes

Chocho (Lupinus mutabilis), also known as tarwi or Andean lupin, is a legume long cultivated by Indigenous communities across Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and the Andean region. Wikipedia+2USFQ Research+2

Chocho seeds are exceptionally nutrient-rich. Depending on the variety and harvesting conditions, chocho seeds can pack 32–53% protein by dry weight, along with healthy fats and fiber. Wageningen University & Research eDepot+2MDPI+2

That makes chocho’s nutritional profile comparable to — or even more robust than — traditional legumes such as soy, but with an ancient legacy and ecological context rooted in the Andean highlands. Wikipedia+2USFQ Research+2

🧬 Nutrition + Functionality: What Chocho Brings to the Table

Because of its protein, fat, and fiber balance, chocho offers a suite of nutrition benefits that make it ideal for modern diets and whole-food nutrition goals:

• Complete plant-based protein: Chocho delivers a full amino-acid profile, making it a powerful vegan & vegetarian protein source. ScienceDirect+2ResearchGate+2

• Natural fiber, healthy fats & micronutrients: With fiber and healthy lipids, chocho supports digestion, satiety, and nutrient absorption — unlike many stripped-down isolates. Energy Green+2Wageningen University & Research eDepot+2

• Digestibility & allergen-friendliness: Chocho is naturally gluten-free and, when properly processed, is often tolerated more easily than many legumes or processed proteins. The Santa Barbara Independent+1

• Sustainability & regenerative agriculture: Chocho is home-grown under Andean conditions, often using traditional, low-input farming that supports soil health — making it a sustainable and ecologically respectful protein source. crimsonpublishers+1

In short: chocho isn’t just another protein — it’s a whole-food superfood with a legacy of nourishment and ecological balance built in.

🌍 Why Mikuna’s Latin-Founded Story Matters

Mikuna is more than a supplement brand — it's a bridge between Andean food heritage and global clean-eating. By sourcing chocho directly from Ecuador’s highlands, Mikuna:

• Supports Indigenous and local farmers who maintain ancient agricultural practices

• Preserves biodiversity and regenerative soil health

• Offers transparency — from seed to shelf — so consumers know where their protein comes from

• Helps revive underused ancestral crops with global potential

This cultural and ethical foundation makes Mikuna distinct from many other global protein brands that rely on industrialized monocultures, heavy processing, or global supply chains divorced from their origin stories.

🍽️ How to Use Chocho & Mikuna Protein in Everyday Life

Because of its neutral, mildly nutty flavor and balanced nutrition, Mikuna’s chocho-based protein works beautifully in many contexts:

• Smoothies or shakes — post-workout or morning nutrition

• Oatmeal, porridges, or breakfasts — for sustained energy & satiety

• Baked goods — pancakes, muffins, protein bars — for plant-forward protein snacks

• Grain bowls, soups, or savory dishes — adding protein without heavy flavor or digestibility issues

• Everyday cooking — as a wheat/legume alternative that aligns with gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, or flexitarian diets