FAQs


Source

Where are HARi&CO’s products manufactured?

Our products are manufactured by our industrial partner in the “Drôme Provençale,” found in the heart of Provence. Furthermore, no raw materials of animal origin come into contact with our products in the manufacturing process.

Where do HARi&CO’s other ingredients come from?

The beans (which make up 50% of our veggie burgers and balls) are grown exclusively in France. We obtain our vegetables and seasonings from France and from neighboring European countries.

Where do the beans used in HARi&CO’s products come from?

Our beans are grown in France. We have established partnerships with three farming cooperatives in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, Grand Sud-Ouest and Grand Ouest regions of France. We use an agricultural partnership model in order to secure an adequate supply of raw materials and to help develop the French organic legume industry.

Composition

Are all the ingredients used in HARi&CO’s products organic?

All the ingredients used in our recipes are organic, with the exception of salt and water, which can never be considered organic to begin with!

Are HARi&CO’s products gluten-free?

Our products are not gluten-free. We use cornmeal, semolina, as well as wheat flakes and wheat flour to grant our products a nice texture. Combined with beans, the grains added to our recipes also provide you with all the essential amino acids (which make up proteins) your body needs. This combination leads to a greater degree of protein absorption than would be possible if they were consumed separately. (Source: INRA, Plant protein is making a comeback).

Do HARi&CO’s products contain soy?

The majority of plant-based meat alternatives on the market today are made from soy, which is a fairly bland and uninspiring legume for the European consumer. We want to offer a product featuring beans from our own French culinary heritage, such as the green lentil, the flageolet bean, and the chickpea.

Does HARi&CO make fake meat?

Above all, we want to make sure you know what you’re eating, so all of our products are made from ingredients you can see, like beans and vegetables. So no, our products aren’t designed to replicate the look, texture or taste of meat. Fake meat products are made with additives like “meat flavor” and are full of texturizing agents like guar gum and xanthan gum. Do you want to eat all that? We certainly don’t!

How should I store your products?

HARi&CO burgers and balls are frozen foods that need to be kept in the freezer below -18°C. Make sure that they don’t defrost on the way home. If they do, consume right away and do not refreeze.

Why are your products frozen?

Our products don’t contain any additives or preservatives. We freeze them so that they will keep well without requiring heat treatment that would alter their appearance and flavor.

What are you products made of?

Every one of our recipes features a bean (lentil, chickpea, flageolet bean, etc.) combined with grains (semolina, corn, wheat). We add some vegetables (carrots, leeks, onions, etc.) and spices (cumin, Herbes de Provence, etc.). In short, nothing but good stuff! Find out more here!

Nutrition & cooking

How many calories do your products contain?

The calorie content of our products sits at an average of 165 kcal per 122 g. Figures set out in more detail below:
> Green lentils: 164.9 kcal per 100 g.
> Chickpeas: 165.6 kcal per 100 g.
> Flageolet beans: 166.9 kcal per 100 g.
> Red beans: 158.5 kcal per 100 g.

How much protein do your products contain?

In our products, the protein content ranges from 7.6 g (chickpea recipe) to 9.5 grams (green lentil recipe), per 100 g. Figures set out in more detail below:
> Green lentils: 9.5 g per 100 g.
> Chickpeas: 7.6 g per 100 g.
> Flageolet beans: 8.4 g per 100 g.
> Red beans: 8.4 g per 100 g.

What side dish should I serve with HARi&CO’s products?

HARi&CO’s products are the base of a meal, meaning that they replace meat, fish, or eggs in any given meal. Therefore, they can be served with the same side dishes. You could whip up a vegetable hash or ratatouille on the side, or even add some carbs in the form of rice or pasta. For more recipe ideas, be sure to check out our Instagram account for all of our recipe tips!

How should I cook your products?

Our products are easy to prepare! You can toss them in a pan (8 min), pop them in the oven (10 min), or even deep fry them (2-3 min). All you have to do is flip them midway through cooking and you’ll be good to go! Our burger and no-meat ball products make up the basis of a meal by replacing meat, fish, eggs, etc. You can opt for several side dishes and play around with the recipes. For instance, our burgers taste great stuffed between two hamburger buns and our no-meat balls are the utlimate garnish to your salads. Visit our blog for more recipe ideas!

Could you tell me more about the Nutriscore labeling on HARi&CO’s products?

Nutriscore is a logo that provides an information about the nutritional quality of a product in simplified form. It is based on a grading scale ranging from letters A (highest score) to E (lowest score) according to the nutritional profile of the product. The score is calculated per 100 grams of the nutritional content of healthy food (fibres, proteins, fruit, and vegetables) and the nutritional content of unhealthy food (calories, saturated fats, sugar, salt). The product is then given a letter grade. All HARi&CO products are rated A for nutritional content.

Distribution

Are you also a restaurant or mass catering supplier?

Our products are distributed in the out-of-home catering sector, meaning in school and company canteens. We also supply food chains such as Ninkasi, Burger and wells, and the Zinc à burger, all located in Lyon. Our products are also served at chez Mamie burger in Paris!

Beans

How can I make legumes easier to digest?

Three key rules:

1. Let them soak in cold water overnight, drain the water they were soaked in, and rinse the beans several times.

2. Cook the beans well. While they are cooking, squeeze in some lemon juice for some aciditiy.

3. Finally, remember to chew veeeeeeeery carefully and to add spices (cumin, fennel, ginger…), which will aid in digestion and reduce chances of bloating :).

How does your approach contribute to sustainable development?

We have a two-pronged approach that tackles two challenges of sustainable development.

> Firstly, developing a high-quality food source. Legumes have well-known nutritional benefits, and are particularly valued for their fiber and quality plant protein content. When they are paired with grains (like in our recipes!), the body is able to easily absorb that plant protein. Legumes and grains are allies in maintaining a balanced diet.

> Secondly, developing a sustainable agricultural system in France by growing and processing legumes. Growing legumes is beneficial for the fields and the environment! They require very little water and no additional nitrogen-based fertilizers. In fact, they capture nitrogen from the air and return it to the soil. So planting legumes in a field actually reduces overall nitrogen consumption and, in doing so, reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

What are some sources of plant protein?

There are three sources of plant protein:
> Legumes: peas, beans, lentils, etc., are naturally rich in nutrients like iron and fiber.

> Grains (quinoa, corn, bulgur, rice, etc.) are also a good alternative to meat. Rich in carbohydrates and proteins, they contain many minerals. It is important to know that combining grains + beans provides all the amino acids your body needs.

> Oilseeds: almonds, nuts, sesame seeds, etc.

Why eat beans?

Beans have many health benefits and are a positive addition to any diet:

> They are naturally high in plant-based proteins. When paired with grains, they provide as much protein as meat.

> They are high in fiber. A fiber-rich diet favors digestion and allows the body to better regulate its blood glucose levels.

> They are rich in vitamins and minerals. Beans are positively teeming with iron, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin B, all of which are essential for balance within the body.

> They are low on the glycemic index, so your body digests them more slowly and they help keep you feeling full.

Which legumes contain the most protein?

Apart from soy, the most protein-rich legumes in descending order are (/100 g): lentils (25.8 g), split peas (24.55 g), red beans (22.5 g), chickpeas (20.5 g), and flageolet beans (19.1 g).

Which legumes contain the most fiber?

Apart from soy, the most fiber-rich legumes in descending order are (/100 g): split peas (25.5 g), flageolet beans (23.4 g), lentils (17.1 g), red beans (15.2 g), and chickpeas (13.3 g).

Plant protein

How can I replace meat?

There are lots of alternatives to animal protein available, you just have to get to know them. (Not a complete list)

> Legumes, which include peas, beans, lentils, etc., are a main source of plant protein, and are rich in iron, fiber, and other nutrients.

> Grains (quinoa, corn, bulgur, rice, etc.) are also a good alternative to meat. Rich in carbohydrates and proteins, they contain many minerals. It is important to know that the combination of grains + beans supplies your body with all the amino acids necessary for its proper functioning.

> Oilseeds: almonds, nuts, sesame seeds, etc.
Once you’ve learned the basics, it’s time to let your culinary imagination run wild! For more recipe ideas, follow us on Instagram :).

Can I eat your products as a daily meat replacement?

Our products are very good for your health but should be consumed as part of a balanced diet. We do not recommend you eat them everyday, simply because it is important to have a varied diet that includes different protein sources.

Why reduce our meat consumption?

Vegifying your meals is good for your health and the environment!
> Meat production causes pollution: intensive livestock farming is a leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, water waste and soil pollution. Livestock animals are also commonly treated with antibiotics in order to meet consumer demand.

> An over-consumption of meat can also negatively impact your health: eating too much animal protein is unhealthy for your body.
Excess protein, fat, and fatty acids promote bad cholesterol and certain cardiovascular diseases.
Plant proteins exist (beans, grains, oilseeds, etc.) and supply you with the necessary protein intake to avoid any deficiencies.

> Meat is expensive: poultry, beef, pork, lamb… consuming meat on a daily basis calls for a pretty hefty budget.
In short, eating too much meat is bad for the animals, the planet, and your health. Try consuming less meat and instead focusing on high-quality nutrition. 🙂

What is flexitarianism?

Also called “flexible vegetarians,” flexitarians eat a mostly vegetarian diet, with the occasional addition of meat, preferably organic. Want to know more? Check out this great article!

Packaging

What is « collective compost »?

Collective compost makes people aware of environmental compliance and waste sorting. The thing is: many compost containers are installed in public areas and everyone can take some of it to reuse it for free. Easy!

Where are our bottles made?

The company LYSPACKAGING, which is located in the North-West of France, takes care of the production of our bottles.

What are they made of?

Our bottles and labels are made of « vegetal plastic » or « PLA » and more precisely cane sugar. They are 100% vegetal, biodegradable and compostable!

Why vegetal plastic is better than PET?

You must know that our bottles are made of sugar cane vegetal plastic. This crop does not need much water and does not use the fields used for food. Furthermore, there is no petrol and GMO traces, thus, our bottles are 100% biodegradable and compostable.

Are your bottles biodegradable ?

Yes (except our lids, we are working on it though ^^!) as they are 100% vegetal and they can be eaten by microorganisms (bacteria, mushrooms, algae).

Are your bottles compostable?

Yes, our bottles are biodegradable and also compostable. However, you cannot throw them away in your household compost. As an advice, you can look up on where are the collective composts nearby you!

Are your bottles recyclable?

Unfortunately, not yet. There is no cooperative in France that can recycle vegetal plastic. Yet, we are not giving up on it because the more we are to swap PET with PLA, the more we will have the chance to see an industry capable of recycling vegetal plastic. Hence, if you do not have a collective compost close to you, you must throw them away in the trash.