‘Altreier Kaffee’: Lupinus pilosus L. cultivated as coffee substitute in Northern Italy (Alto Adige/Südtirol)

The continued cultivation of Lupinus pilosus L. as an endemic coffee substitute in the mountain village of Altrei, South Tyrol, located in the Val di Fiemme/Fleimstal valley ca. 24 km south of Bolzano/Bozen, since the middle of the nineteenth century is demonstrable. Former reports of cultivation of Lupinus cosentinii Guss. and L. varius auct., non L. for this purpose in Tyrol could refer to L. pilosus as well. The cultural history of the rare crop is summarized up to its recent revival.