TY - JOUR

T1 - The versatility of pulses

T2 - Are consumption and consumer perception in different European countries related to the actual climate impact of different pulse types?

AU - Henn, Katharina

AU - Zhang, Xueqian

AU - Thomsen, Marianne

AU - Rinnan, Åsmund

AU - Bredie, Wender L.P.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2022

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - Pulses support sustainable production and consumption. Their culinary versatility creates a wide range of possibilities for new products, bridging consumers’ preparation barriers. However, this potential is often intangible for consumers who have little knowledge about plant-based foods. Based on an online survey in Denmark, Germany, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom (N = 4,226), this study aimed to investigate consumer utilization and perception of pulses as a versatile, low-carbon food relative to objective life cycle assessment (LCA) measures of 12 pulse types. The most popular pulse types, with specific preferences across countries, were lentils, kidney beans, and chickpeas, typically consumed at home and purchased in dried or canned form. Respondents associated pulses with being healthy and natural, but sustainability was not an essential attribute related to the perception of pulses. LCA revealed a low environmental impact caused by pulse production and consumption, with marginal variations between types and produce. Respondents were unaware of the nuances in the environmental impact of different pulse types, generally perceiving uncommon pulses to be relatively more sustainable than others. In conclusion, a low consumption combined with a misconception of pulses’ environmental impact may demand different promotional strategies including clear communication to inform consumers.

AB - Pulses support sustainable production and consumption. Their culinary versatility creates a wide range of possibilities for new products, bridging consumers’ preparation barriers. However, this potential is often intangible for consumers who have little knowledge about plant-based foods. Based on an online survey in Denmark, Germany, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom (N = 4,226), this study aimed to investigate consumer utilization and perception of pulses as a versatile, low-carbon food relative to objective life cycle assessment (LCA) measures of 12 pulse types. The most popular pulse types, with specific preferences across countries, were lentils, kidney beans, and chickpeas, typically consumed at home and purchased in dried or canned form. Respondents associated pulses with being healthy and natural, but sustainability was not an essential attribute related to the perception of pulses. LCA revealed a low environmental impact caused by pulse production and consumption, with marginal variations between types and produce. Respondents were unaware of the nuances in the environmental impact of different pulse types, generally perceiving uncommon pulses to be relatively more sustainable than others. In conclusion, a low consumption combined with a misconception of pulses’ environmental impact may demand different promotional strategies including clear communication to inform consumers.

KW - CATA

KW - CO footprint

KW - Consumption behavior

KW - Environmental friendliness

KW - Pulses

KW - Sustainability

U2 - 10.1016/j.fufo.2022.100202

DO - 10.1016/j.fufo.2022.100202

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:85141950156

VL - 6

JO - Future Foods

JF - Future Foods

SN - 2666-8335

M1 - 100202

ER -