Introduction to Egyptian Termes
Egyptian Termes (also known as ترمس or Lupini Beans) are a beloved snack in Egypt, cherished for their nutritional value and delightful taste. You may have seen these beans sold by street vendors along the river Nile, wrapped in paper cones. Personally, they bring back fond memories of family gatherings before the days of digital devices, where bowls of Lupini Beans were served with a sprinkle of salt, a dash of red pepper flakes, and a drizzle of lemon.
The preparation process of Lupini Beans can be time-consuming as the beans need to be soaked to remove their bitterness, but the result is worth the wait. They are not only delightful snacks but also offer numerous health benefits. Rich in protein, low in fat, and high in fiber, they contribute to gut health and help in maintaining blood sugar levels. Whether you buy them pickled from a store or prepare them at home, Egyptian Termes remains a nutritious and satisfying treat.
Personal Experience
I still remember the first time I prepared Lupini beans at home. The process was longer than I expected, especially waiting for the beans to soak and remove their bitterness. As the beans boiled, the kitchen filled with a comforting, familiar aroma. After rinsing and adding salt, I tasted one, excited to see if the bitterness was gone. When I finally served the Lupini beans to my family, the combination of flavors with a sprinkle of lemon and red pepper made it all worthwhile. Now, making these beans has become a tradition, especially for family gatherings.
Necessary Ingredients
- Lupini beans
- Water
- Salt
How to Make Egyptian Termes (Lupini Beans) at Home?
Lupini beans are a traditional and healthy snack, but preparing them at home requires a bit of patience. First, soak the beans in water for about 24 hours, allowing them to swell. After soaking, boil them for 30 minutes to soften and remove their natural bitterness. Once boiled, rinse the beans under cold running water and transfer them into a fresh, well-salted water solution, similar in salinity to pasta water. Leave the beans in this solution for around 4 hours to further eliminate the bitter taste.
Once you’re satisfied with the flavor, you can store the Lupini beans in a refrigerator for up to one week, ensuring they stay covered with water. If they taste too salty, just rinse and adjust the amount of salt as needed for a perfectly balanced snack.
Step-by-Step Preparation Method
- Soak the Beans:
- Take the Lupini beans and place them in a large bowl.
- Cover the beans completely with water, ensuring there is enough water since the beans will swell during the soaking process.
- Let the beans soak for 24 hours. This step helps soften the beans and begins to remove some of the bitterness.
- Boil the Beans:
- After soaking for a full day, drain the water from the beans.
- Transfer the soaked beans into a pot, cover them again with fresh water, and bring it to a boil.
- Boil the beans for around 30 minutes. This boiling step is essential for softening the beans further and removing additional bitterness.
- Rinse and Salt the Beans:
- After boiling, drain the beans and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water.
- Place the beans in a fresh bowl of well-salted water. The salt concentration should resemble that of pasta water (salty but not overwhelming).
- Let the beans sit in the salted water for approximately 4 hours. This helps to eliminate the bitter taste from the beans.
- Taste and Adjust:
- After the 4-hour soak, taste the beans. If they still have a bitter flavor, drain the salted water, and replace it with fresh salted water.
- Repeat the process of tasting and changing the water until all the bitterness is completely gone.
- Final Salt and Storage:
- Once the bitterness is eliminated, drain the beans one last time and add more salt to taste.
- Store the beans in the refrigerator for up to one week. Ensure that the beans are always covered with water in the storage container to keep them fresh.
- If, at any point, the beans taste too salty, you can rinse them and change the water, reducing the amount of salt to adjust the flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are lupins used for?
Lupins are versatile and used for various purposes, including as food for humans and animals. Lupini beans, a type of lupin, are commonly eaten as snacks, especially in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions. They are also used in gluten-free flour, protein-rich foods, and are grown as a nitrogen-fixing crop to improve soil health.
How to eat termes?
Termes, or Lupini beans, are typically eaten after being soaked, boiled, and rinsed to remove their natural bitterness. They can be eaten plain or seasoned with salt, lemon juice, and spices like red pepper flakes. Often enjoyed as a snack, they are served cold and are perfect for munching during gatherings or as a healthy snack between meals.
What are the benefits of lupini beans?
Lupini beans are packed with nutritional benefits. They are high in protein and fiber, making them an excellent plant-based protein source. They are low in fat and rich in essential nutrients like magnesium, potassium, and vitamins B and C. Consuming lupini beans is beneficial for gut health, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and supports a healthy digestive system.