The LeguHe project is particularly concerned with determining consumer preferences for legume-based foods. Products made from legumes are gaining importance as meat and dairy alternatives in both the conventional and organic markets. Depending on the production method and degree of processing, they can cover a wide range of consumer preferences: as a convenience product in the form of meat alternatives and as a natural and healthy food in the form of organic raw or minimally processed products.
Most consumers* are largely unaware of the ecological and nutritional benefits of legumes, as well as the possibility of regional cultivation. Legume-based products are therefore still little consumed overall. Parallel to the trend toward vegetarian and vegan diets, there is a trend toward regional products. A stronger cultivation of protein crops in Hesse could therefore face a noteworthy demand potential.
