Wildbrine Launches Industry-First Fermented Bean Salad

Sauerkraut and kimchi powerhouse Wildbrine has announced the first-ever packaged fermented bean salad, marking a significant innovation in the fermentation space. The bright, savory Mediterranean and Kimchi-Style Fermented Chickpea Salads offer a trifecta of protein, fiber, and live fermentation while maintaining the beans' natural bite and texture. The 20-ounce jars will be sold exclusively at Whole Foods Market nationally beginning April 1, following a debut at Expo West March 3-6.

"This is the kind of innovation that redefines an entire category," said Jorge Azevedo, CEO of 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, ready-to-eat product."

Well before "dense bean salad" went viral in 2024 and the "savory girl" aesthetic emerged this year, Wildbrine was already at work on its bean salad recipe. Wildbrine's Fermented Chickpea Salad was developed to ferment without breaking down the beans, a proprietary process guided by FFH's expert food scientists, including Wildbrine co-founder Chris Glab.

"What truly differentiates this first-of-its-kind fermented bean salad is its functional integrity at the microbiological and metabolic level," said Glab. "Through fermentation, the beans undergo a natural biotransformation that may help enhance nutrient bioavailability, reduce antinutrients like phytic acid, and support overall digestibility – making plant proteins, minerals such as iron and zinc, and B vitamins more accessible to the body."

Wildbrine's Fermented Chickpea Salads deliver on three of today's most in-demand attributes: protein, fiber, and probiotic benefits. Sixty-nine percent of Americans are actively trying to consume more fiber and 71% are looking to increase protein intake. Meanwhile, sales of probiotic-rich fermented foods are growing 9% year-over-year.

"As a dietitian, I regularly encourage both fermented foods and legumes for gut health; fermented foods for their live cultures and beans for their prebiotic fiber and plant-based protein," said Kelly Springer, RD, MS, CDN. "Seeing those benefits combined in one minimally processed, ready-to-eat option via the Wildbrine Chickpea Salads is remarkable. It reflects what we now understand about truly supporting the microbiome: pairing the fibers that nourish beneficial bacteria with fermentation that helps introduce and activate live cultures."

Wildbrine Fermented Chickpea Salad comes in two flavors:

• Mediterranean: fermented chickpeas with onions and bell peppers, seasoned with garlic, oregano, parsley, and lemon

• Kimchi Style: fermented chickpeas with green onion, carrot, ginger, garlic, and gochugaru, inspired by Korean classics.

From salads and grain bowls to sides or straight-from-the-jar snacking, Wildbrine's Fermented Chickpea Salads bring bold flavor and functional benefits to any occasion.

"We're passionate about the healing power of whole foods, and beans are a clean, minimally processed source of both protein and fiber," said Glab. "The result is not just a convenient plant-based dish, but a living, functional food designed to help support absorption, the microbiome, and overall wellness, and to elevate the nutritional potential of legumes beyond their already impressive baseline."

The fermentation process creates organic acids and enzymes that help break down complex carbohydrates, which may help support digestion and gut comfort. Unlike conventional, non-fermented bean salads, Wildbrine chickpea salads deliver a trio of prebiotics (fibers that feed beneficial microbes), probiotics (live active cultures), and postbiotics (compounds produced during fermentation). Together, they may help support microbial diversity, gut barrier function, and immune health – key areas of overall wellness increasingly studied in nutritional science – while also helping promote sustained energy and everyday vitality.

Fermentation expert Wildbrine has been bringing naturally fermented foods to the masses for over 15 years. Its Raw Organic Sauerkraut is the only sauerkraut available nationally at Costco and the best-selling sauerkraut brand in the Natural channel. Wildbrine's Korean Style Kimchi is the best-selling kimchi item in the Natural channel.

At launch, the first-ever 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 help 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.