What Are Termis Beans? The Ancient Snack Behind Saint Bean

If you’ve wandered through a Middle Eastern market or sat down to a mezze spread, you may have encountered termis beans — salty, creamy, and addictively snackable. But here’s the twist: termis beans and lupini beans are the exact same thing. ## Same Bean, Different Name Lupini beans (scientifically, seeds of the Lupinus plant) are one of humanity’s oldest cultivated crops. Across the Middle East and North Africa, they’re commonly called **termis** — or termos, termas, or lupini, depending on where you are. From Egypt to Lebanon, from Italy to Portugal, cultures have been preparing and eating this bean for roughly 6,000 years. ## A Snack with History Termis beans have long been a street-food staple. In Egypt, vendors sell paper cones of brined termis as a cheap, filling snack. In Lebanon and Syria, they appear alongside olives and pickles as part of a traditional mezze. Their staying power isn’t accidental: the bean is naturally high in protein and fiber, low in net carbs, and gluten-free — making it a surprisingly modern fit for keto, vegan, and high-protein diets. ## Why the Name Confusion? “Lupini” is the broader Latin-derived name used in Europe and the Americas. “Termis” is the Arabic-rooted name common in the Middle East. Both refer to the same remarkable legume. Whether you call it termis, lupini, or even lupin, you’re talking about a bean that’s been fueling people since ancient Egypt. ## How to Prepare Termis Beans Traditional termis beans require a long soak and rinse to remove bitter alkaloids — sometimes several days of changing water. That’s why many people buy them pre-brined or ready-to-eat. At Saint Bean, we’ve taken the ancient termis bean and turned it into a crunchy, modern snack: no overnight soaking, no bitterness, just holy crunch. ## The Takeaway Termis beans are lupini beans, and lupini beans are one of the most underrated plant-based snacks on earth. High protein. High fiber. Naturally gluten-free and low-carb. Whether you grew up eating them from a street cart or you’re discovering them for the first time, you’re tasting 6,000 years of snacking wisdom. Ready to try the crunchy side of termis? [Sign up for Saint Bean launch updates](/#signup) and be first to the feast.