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Bean Flour and Flour Products: Bean processing process

Bean Flour Made Easy

Bean flour and flour-based products" technology is a set of machines that facilitates the production of flour derived from common beans. It transforms whole beans into a finely ground, powdery form that can be used in the creation of a diverse range of food products. This technology improves the digestibility and nutritional qualities of common beans, increasing their appeal to consumers. It also extends the shelf life of bean products, and offers economic opportunities to farmers and entrepreneurs by creating a lucrative market for bean flour and related food products. The technology is applicable to both rural and urban communities, and can be implemented using a range of equipment, from small manual systems for cottage-level production to larger automated facilities for industrial-scale processing. It plays a key role in improving food self-sufficiency, business development and the overall use of common beans in a variety of food products.

2

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

7•7

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 7/9; level of use 7/9

Cost: $$$ 370 USD

Small motorized bean dehullers that can process 50 kg hour-1

4 USD

Bean flour per kg

370 USD

Small motorized bean dehullers that can process 50 kg hour-1

1,500 USD

Soaking tanks of 500 liter

2,000 USD

Mills with a capacity of 300 kg hour-1

IP

Open source / open access

Problem

  • Time and Energy Consumption: The time and energy required to prepare whole beans for consumption make them less appealing to urban consumers.

  • Limited Appeal of Traditional Bean Preparation: Even pre-cooked bean products face limited appeal due to these challenges.

  • Nutritional and Digestibility Issues: Common beans contain substances that interfere with the absorption of proteins, starch, and minerals in the human gut.

  • Freshly Harvested and Hard-to-Cook Beans: Freshly harvested and hard-to-cook beans are difficult to process and make palatable.

Solution

  • Introduction of Processed and Ready-to-Eat Products: The technology enables the production of processed and ready-to-eat products made from common beans, which are gaining popularity in Sub-Saharan Africa.

  • Bean Flour Production: The first step involves producing high-quality bean flour, which significantly reduces cooking time and fuel costs compared to conventional boiling.

  • Improved Nutritional Qualities: Bean flour processing enhances the bioavailability of vitamins and micronutrients in derived food products.

  • Mitigation of Digestibility Issues: Various procedures, including soaking, malting, dehulling, pressure cooking, and steaming, are employed to make beans more digestible and nutritious.

  • Extended Shelf-Life: Bean flour extends the shelf life of products.

  • Economic Opportunities: The technology creates a lucrative market that benefits the livelihoods of both farmers and entrepreneurs.

  • Expansion of Markets and Supply Chains: Bean flour production opens up new markets to producers, offers transportation cost savings, and allows manufacturers to create new product lines.

Key points to design your business plan

For Manufacturers

The bean flour processing streamlines the preparation of common beans, offering substantial time and cost savings. It involves wet and dry milling procedures, providing a diverse range of bean-based products for both rural and urban communities.   

In order to make this venture successful, you need to identify reliable suppliers for manufacturing machines and obtaining the necessary raw materials. Optimize costs, expand offerings, and enter the market smoothly with simple machinery and minimal licensing. 

Your potential customers are small-scale farmers, agro-manufactures, development projects, government agencies, and NGOs. 

Collaboration with local farmers and agri-food companies for a reliable bean supply chain, ensuring sustainable sourcing for consistent high-quality bean flour production.

Cost considerations include efficient processing equipment, ranging from small motorized bean dehullers (US $370) to larger automated systems for industrial-scale processing (starting from US $3,000). Optimize costs with flexible pricing strategies aligned with consumer demand.

 

For resellers

Resellers can capitalize on the demand for diverse, gluten-free, and nutritious options, bean flour processing offers versatility and cost-effectiveness in various food products.

To successfully navigate this market, you need to position your business at the forefront of the growing demand for bean flour and processed products. Emphasize versatility, collaborate for a steady supply, and navigate licensing requirements smoothly.   

Your potential customer targets should be a broad customer base, from health-conscious urbanites to budget-conscious rural communities looking for various bean-based products. Emphasize bean flour's versatility and cost-effectiveness in various food products.

Establishing strong partnerships with local processors and farmers for a steady supply of high-quality bean flour. Explore strategic partnerships to expand product offerings and distribution reach.

Procurement costs for resellers involve the implementation of flexible models to cater to different market segments. Maximize profit margins with affordable production costs and a variety of packaging options.

 

For users

Bean flour processing enhances culinary experiences by offering unparalleled convenience and health benefits.

End-users of bean flour and flour products can save time and money while enjoying the health benefits of the products. 

The primary customers are health conscious individuals seeking gluten-free alternatives. Highlighting time and cost savings in meal preparation for busy urbanites and health-conscious homemakers.

Users can be supplied by local businesses that offer a range of flour products, from bread and pastries to soups and sauces.

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

The poor: Positive low

Under 18: Positive low

Women: Positive high

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Environmental health: Moderately improves environmental health

Soil quality: Does not affect soil health and fertility

Water use: Same amount of water used

Biodiversity: Not verified

Carbon footprint: More carbon released

Countries with a green colour
Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour
Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour
Tested
Egypt Equatorial Guinea Ethiopia Algeria Angola Benin Botswana Burundi Burkina Faso Democratic Republic of the Congo Djibouti Côte d’Ivoire Eritrea Gabon Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Cameroon Kenya Libya Liberia Madagascar Mali Malawi Morocco Mauritania Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Republic of the Congo Rwanda Zambia Senegal Sierra Leone Zimbabwe Somalia South Sudan Sudan South Africa Eswatini Tanzania Togo Tunisia Chad Uganda Western Sahara Central African Republic Lesotho
Countries where the technology has been tested and adopted
Country Tested Adopted
Benin Tested Adopted
Burkina Faso Tested Adopted
Burundi Tested Adopted
Central African Republic Tested Adopted
Côte d’Ivoire Tested Adopted
Democratic Republic of the Congo Tested Adopted
Ethiopia Tested Adopted
Kenya Tested Adopted
Malawi Tested Adopted
Nigeria Tested Adopted
Rwanda Tested Adopted
Senegal Tested Adopted
Tanzania Tested Adopted
Uganda Tested Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ Subtropic - warm Subtropic - cool Tropic - warm Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid
Subhumid
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Sustainable Development Goal 2: zero hunger
Goal 2: zero hunger
Sustainable Development Goal 3: good health and well-being
Goal 3: good health and well-being
Sustainable Development Goal 13: climate action
Goal 13: climate action

The following steps are required to make most of bean flour for a wide range of culinary applications and food products, adding nutritional value and diversity to your cooking.

1. Choose Your Bean Flour: Select bean flour produced through either wet or dry milling, depending on your intended use.

2. Decide on Your Recipe: Determine the recipe or food product you want to prepare using bean flour.

3. Baking and Cooking: For Baking (Bread, Pastry, Porridge), If you're making bread, pastry, or porridge, use bean flour as an all-purpose, gluten-free ingredient. Blend it with cereal flour to achieve the desired texture and taste.

4. Food Texturing: For Food Texturing (Crisps, Pasta), Use pure bean flour as a texturing ingredient for crisps and pasta to enhance their texture and nutritional value.

5. Thickening Soups, Sauces, and Beverages: For Thickening (Soups, Sauces, Beverages), Incorporate bean flour as a thickener for soups, sauces, and beverages to add body and creaminess to your dishes.

6. Meat Analogues: For Meat Analogues (Protein Replacement), Utilize bean flour as a protein replacement in meat analogues, enhancing their nutritional content and making them suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Last updated on 9 September 2024