Tarwi Foods

Tarwi Foods Ltd, incorporated on March 26, 2020, is a London-based food company strategically positioned to disrupt the European plant-based protein market. The firm was founded by Catarina Gorgulho, who transitioned from a career in finance in January 2020 to establish the venture. This move was driven by her personal experience as a vegan since 2016 and the struggle to find satisfactory plant protein sources. Her conviction is that the market needs a socially conscious snack brand focused on both consumers and the planet.

The company's core business revolves around the lupin bean, a legume with a nutritional profile that includes high protein and fiber content with minimal carbohydrates and fats. Tarwi Foods is targeting a significant market opportunity, noting that Europe imports 70% of its plant protein, primarily soy. The company presents lupin as a native European, sustainable, and nutritionally superior alternative. The business operates a direct-to-consumer model through its e-commerce website, tarwi.co.uk, and also appears to have retail presence. Revenue is generated through the sale of its lupin-based products. The company has received backing from accelerator programs, including From Start-to-Table and Unicorn Factory Lisboa, and in April 2025 announced a $1 million funding round to increase production and market reach.

Tarwi Foods offers a range of products made from lupin beans, which are sourced from Western Australia to support regenerative farming. Their product line includes snacks, hummus, marinated lupins, and various protein powders with flavors like cacao and lucuma. A key differentiator for their protein powder is the use of the whole lupin seed, resulting in a minimally processed product that is rich in fiber and naturally lectin-free, which aids digestion. The products are designed to be simple and easy to understand, appealing to health-conscious consumers looking for clean labels and sustainable food choices. The brand name "Tarwi" itself is a nod to the legume's origins in the Andean regions of South America.

Keywords: Lupin beans, plant-based protein, sustainable food, food technology, European market, direct-to-consumer, e-commerce, healthy snacks, protein powder, hummus, vegan products, regenerative agriculture, soy alternative, clean label, food and beverage, LOHAS & wellness, high-fiber foods, low-carb foods, complete protein, functional foods, Catarina Gorgulho.