In March 2026, wildbrine introduced two retail packaged fermented chickpea salads, unpasteurized and alive with probiotics. The products deliver protein, fiber, and functional benefits in a convenient, ready-to-eat (RTE) format, available in two varieties:
- The Mediterranean version features ingredients like red onion, bell pepper, lemon juice and zest, garlic, and oregano and is suggested to spoon over salads or grain bowls, blend into hummus, pair with eggs, or enjoy as an RTE side
- The Kimchi version features green onion, carrot, chili pepper, bell pepper, ginger, and garlic and is suggested to pair with eggs, spoon over rice or grain bowls, or add as an accent anywhere for a punch of flavor
Prepared Foods: How does the product address a consumer need?
wildbrine: The bright, savory Mediterranean and Kimchi-Style Fermented Chickpea Salads deliver a rare trifecta of protein, fiber, and live fermentation. What truly differentiates this first-of-its-kind fermented bean salad is its functional integrity at the microbiological and metabolic level. Through fermentation, the beans undergo a natural biotransformation that enhances nutrient bioavailability, reduces antinutrients like phytic acid, and improves overall digestibility, making plant proteins, minerals such as iron and zinc, and B vitamins more accessible to the body.
Prepared Foods: What were hurdles in development? How did the team overcome those challenges?
wildbrine: Fermented foods have long been associated with gut health, and beans with plant-based protein and fiber, but never before have those benefits lived in one convenient, RTE product. So many other bean salads are mushy. After years of development, this salad maintains the beans’ natural bite and texture.
At launch, the fermented bean salad is being produced in intentionally small batches, with a hands-on, carefully monitored process that underscores the brand’s commitment to quality and craft. Each batch is hand-prepared and closely overseen throughout fermentation to ensure optimal flavor development, texture, and microbial vitality. While the company has plans to scale thoughtfully in the future, its early production remains rooted in an artisanal ethos.
The result is not just a convenient plant-based dish, but a living, functional food designed to optimize absorption, support the microbiome and overall longevity, and elevate the nutritional potential of legumes beyond their already impressive baseline.
