According to the British Nutrition Foundation, adults need 30g of fibre a day, and most are only consuming 20g. Fibre supports digestive health, stabilises blood sugars and can help with weight management. This has made high fibre foods one of the top foodie trends of recent years, and it shows no signs of slowing into 2026.
Along a similar line, protein has been on many food manufacturers’ agendas for the last few years. It’s good for brain and muscle health, it can help people feel fuller for longer and improves immune function. As awareness of protein-rich foods increases, people are prioritising natural sources of protein and plant-based protein.
It just so happens there is a food group that satisfies these nutritional benefits whilst being tasty and sustainable. That food group is pulses, and we are delighted to announce that we are introducing a variety of new pulse products into the Silvery Tweed repertoire.
What are pulses?
Pulses are the edible seeds of plants in the legume family that grow in pods. These include types of beans, peas and lentils. They are healthy and nutritious, and a low-fat source of protein with high levels of fibre. Pulses also contain important vitamins and minerals such as iron, potassium and folate.
Pulses are a more sustainable crop, using less water than others, and often being carbon negative as they remove carbon dioxide from the air and absorb and recycle other toxins.
Pulses can be used as a main ingredient or a substitute ingredient in cooking and baking, to add nutritional and taste benefits, as well as reducing allergens.
Here’s the lowdown on the pulse products we are offering.
Focus on the Fava
Fava Beans are the dried seeds of a species of legume called Vicia faba. They are also referred to by other names, including faba beans, horse beans and field beans.
Fava beans are not only a great source of protein and fibre, but they also contain a high percentage of resistant starch, which supports healthy bacteria in the gut.
Fava Bean Flakes
Developed with baked goods and cereals in mind. The Fava bean kernels are treated with steam before being torrified and rolled into flakes.
The flakes are suitable for use in breads and other baked goods, granolas, cereal bars, trail mixes and biscuits.
They are also a great inclusion for pet and animal foods. The improved availability of nutrients in the flakes makes them beneficial for a wide range of animals, including livestock, pets, and poultry, particularly during high-performance periods or for young animals.
Fava Bean Flour
A naturally milled flour, where the Fava bean kernels are ground down using a hammer mill. The flour has a distinct bean flavour and is suitable for use in breads, biscuits and other baked goods.
Our other perfect pulses
Kibbled Red Lentils
Lentils are lens-shaped seeds, and the red lentil varieties are defined by their red cotyledon and moderate to thin seed coat. The red lentils we use have had the outer seed coat removed and the cotyledon mechanically split in two before being kibbled at our facility in Berwick-upon-Tweed. This makes our red lentils ideal for adding to bread, baked goods, and cereals.
Chickpea Flour
A great source of iron, chickpeas develop in fuzzy pods containing two or three chickpeas. The pods mature and turn brown around 90-100 days after planting, at which point the seeds can be harvested, dried, and stored.
We use Kabuli Chickpeas to make our Chickpea Flour. These are a large, creamy-white, tan-coated variety of chickpea, also known as Garbanzo beans or Kabuli Chana. Our chickpea flour is naturally milled, being ground into flour by a hammer mill. It is ideal for bakery and cereal products.
Haricot Bean Flour
Haricot beans are a small, oval, creamy-white variety of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). They are best known as the classic ingredient used in baked beans. Like the others in our range, they are a good source of protein, fibre, iron, and magnesium.
The flour is naturally milled, with the beans being ground into flour using a hammer mill, resulting in a white flour with a mild, delicate, slightly nutty flavour.
Haricot bean flour is suitable for a variety of uses, including bread and baked goods, where it can be added to increase nutritional content. It also can be used in pastas, snack foods and as a protein or binder for meat alternative products.
Raising pulse rates in 2026
Our range of pulse products is available now. For full product information and order details, please visit our pulses product page or contact our sales department at sales@silverytweedcerals.co.uk.