What Is Andean Chocho?

For more than 5,000 years, Andean chocho (Lupinus mutabilis) has nourished communities across the Andes. This remarkable ancient legume naturally provides complete plant protein, dietary fiber, healthy fats, and essential micronutrients together in one nutrient-dense whole food.

In This Guide

What Is Andean Chocho?

Andean chocho is an ancient edible lupin native to the Andes. Naturally rich in complete plant protein, fiber, healthy fats, and essential micronutrients, chocho is now gaining recognition as a whole food that supports both modern nutrition and regenerative agriculture.

Unlike many protein products that begin with isolated ingredients, Andean chocho begins as a whole food: one that has nourished generations long before protein powders ever existed.

Andean Chocho at a Glance
  • Scientific name: Lupinus mutabilis
  • Nickname: "The Hidden Pearl of the Andes"
  • Origin: Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia
  • Naturally provides: Complete plant protein, dietary fiber, healthy fats and essential micronutrients

Why Is Chocho So Nutritious?

One of the most remarkable things about chocho isn't just one nutrient - it's the combination. Naturally, Andean chocho provides Complete plant protein, Dietary fiber, Healthy fats, All nine essential amino acids, Iron, Zinc, Magnesium, Folate, and Copper.

Rather than isolating a single nutrient, chocho delivers these nutrients together - the way nature intended them to exist.

Whole chocho representation

How Does Chocho Compare to Other Plant Proteins?

Feature Chocho Pea Soy Brown Rice
Complete protein ✓ No ✓ No
Fiber High Low Moderate Low
Whole-food ingredient ✓ Often isolate Often isolate Often isolate
Naturally gluten-free ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Healthy fats ✓ Minimal Moderate Low

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Andean chocho the same as lupini beans?
Chocho (Lupinus mutabilis) belongs to the lupin family and is closely related to lupini beans. In the Andes, "chocho" most commonly refers to Lupinus mutabilis, a species especially valued for its nutritional profile.
Is Andean chocho gluten-free?
Yes. Chocho is naturally gluten-free. To help verify the quality of our products, PRONTO CHOCHO independently tests for gluten through Eurofins. Testing found gluten at <3 ppm, well below the internationally recognized 20 ppm threshold.
Is Andean chocho lectin-free?
Raw chocho naturally contains lectins, like many legumes. Traditional Andean preparation greatly reduces these naturally occurring compounds before chocho is consumed. PRONTO CHOCHO independently tests for lectins through Eurofins, with results below the laboratory's reporting limit (<0.05 mg/g).

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