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Food Ingredients
KWS Food Ingredients (KFI) - European Pea Protein Solutions for Food Applications
The KWS Food Ingredients team develops pea protein solutions based on European-grown peas for food applications.
By combining plant breeding expertise, food analytics and local sourcing, KWS supports food manufacturers in identifying pea varieties with characteristics relevant for taste, texture, color and processing performance.
Selected pea lines demonstrate measurable differences in characteristics relevant for food applications, including solubility, gelation, color ,water-holding capacity and taste.
Why KWS starts with the seed?
Many characteristics relevant for food applications originate in the crop itself.
Through plant breeding, KWS evaluates pea varieties with properties related to:
- taste
- texture
- solubility
- color
- ingredient consistency
Infographic showing KWS Food Ingredients approach from plant breeding and yellow peas to pea protein ingredients and food applications such as dairy alternatives, beverages, bakery products and plant-based foods.
What does the KWS Food Ingredients team do?
- Starting with the right peas through breeding: KWS Food Ingredients team is selecting yellow pea varieties specifically with food applications in mind.
- Growing the peas in Germany: The peas used for the isolate are grown on selected farms in Germany.
- Producing the pea protein in the EU - The German-grown peas are processed within the EU into pea protein isolate.
- Focusing on good performance in food The isolate is developed with a focus on clean taste, light colour and good solubility.
- Providing traceability from seed to ingredient: From selecting the seed to growing the peas, producing the protein and understanding its use in food, KFI connects the whole journey from seed to food. KFI can provide traceability across the value chain.
- Developing it for real food application: The isolate is suitable for applications such as protein beverages, powders, bars, dairy alternatives and other protein-enriched foods
Good Seed
Good Ingredient
Good Food
Pea protein isolate based on European-grown yellow peas for food applications.
Selected Application Characteristics
Pea varieties differ in characteristics that are relevant for food applications. Through plant breeding and food analytics, KWS evaluates pea lines with properties related to texture, appearance and processing performance.
Gelation
Selected KWS pea lines demonstrated up to 1,770 Pa gel strength, compared with 600 Pa for the reference sample.
Relevant for dairy alternative applications where texture and firmness are important.
Solubility
Selected KWS pea lines demonstrated up to 350 mg soluble protein per gram of sample, compared with 150 mg/g for the benchmark sample under tested conditions.
Relevant for beverage applications where suspension stability and mouthfeel are important.
Color
Selected KWS pea proteins achieved higher Stensby Index values than reference samples, supporting a lighter appearance in selected food applications.
Water-Holding Capacity
Selected KWS pea proteins demonstrated higher water-holding capacity under tested conditions, a characteristic relevant for texture and product stability.
*Results are based on internal testing of selected pea lines under defined test conditions. Performance may vary depending on processing conditions and application requirements.
Meet KWS at FI Europe 2026
The KWS Food Ingredients Approach - Up for a perfect match?
KWS works across the food value chain, from plant breeding and crop development to ingredient production and food applications. By combining breeding expertise, food analytics and local sourcing, KWS supports the development of pea protein solutions for a range of food applications.
KWS Food Ingredients - From Seed to Food Application
This video introduces the KWS approach to food ingredients, combining plant breeding, food analytics and European sourcing to support pea protein solutions for food applications.
FAQ
KWS Food Ingredients develops pea protein solutions based on European-grown peas for food applications. By combining plant breeding expertise, food analytics and local sourcing, KWS supports food manufacturers in the development of ingredient solutions for applications such as dairy alternatives, beverages and bakery products.
KWS starts with the crop itself. Through plant breeding and food analytics, KWS identifies pea varieties with characteristics relevant for food applications. This approach supports ingredient development from the seed onward.
Selected pea protein solutions are being evaluated for a range of food applications, including:
- Dairy alternatives
- Plant-based beverages
- Bakery products
- Protein-enriched foods
- Other plant-based food concepts
Different pea varieties can show differences in flavor-related characteristics. Through breeding and selection, KWS evaluates pea lines with properties that may support cleaner and more neutral taste profiles for food applications.
The KWS Proteomex® platform combines plant breeding expertise, food analytics and application knowledge to evaluate pea varieties for food applications. By assessing characteristics such as taste, texture, color and processing performance, the platform supports the identification of pea lines with properties relevant for applications including dairy alternatives, beverages and other plant-based foods.
Discover more about our KWS Food Ingredients
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