Roastedgram is known as gram or Bengal gram, garbanzo or garbanzo bean and sometimes known as Egyptian pea, ceci, cece or channa. Its seeds are high in protein. It is one of the earliest cultivated legumes.

Chickpeas are edible legumes belonging to the family of 'Fabaceae' with slightly round & irregular shape, and are slightly longer in size than the normal peas. They are also known by the names of 'garbanzo beans', and have a nut like taste with a high protein content in them. The plants of the chickpeas grow between 20-25 cm and have feathery leaves on both sides of the stem. Chickpeas can grow well only in sub-tropical and tropical climates requiring an annual rainfall of more than 400 mm.

Chickpeas are high in fibre and protein, and they have a low glycemic index. This powerful combination can help control your weight. Enjoying as little as 1/2 cup (125 mL) of chickpeas daily can keep you feeling full and consuming fewer calories.Including 3/4 cup (175 mL) of chickpeas in your diet each day can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, which reduces the risk of heart disease.Chickpeas can be used in salads, soups, curries, chilis and stews. Or consider roasting them with your favourite savoury spices. High-protein chickpea flour (also called garam) is gluten-free and can be used to make pakoras, pappadams or pancakes, or can serve as a substitute for eggs in baked goods.

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Types of Chickpeas : Chickpeas come in two basic varieties. They are desi chickpea and kaubli chickpea.

Desi Chickpeas : These are split peas and are relatively smaller in size with dark, small seeds and a rough coat. Desi peas are also known as 'Bengal gram' or 'kala channa'. They are mostly cultivated in India, Mexico, Ethiopia and Iran. Desi chickpeas have remarkably high fiber content and are thus suitable for people suffering from diabetes

Kabuli Chickpeas : These chickpeas are light, almost whitish cream in color, with larger seeds and a smoother coat as compared to the desi chickpeas. Introduced in India during the 18th century, the kabuli chickpeas are mainly grown in Southern Europe, Northern Africa, Chile and Afghanistan.

History of roastedgram : Roastedgrams have a history that goes back to as far as 10,000 BC and even more. These are one of the ancient crops that were used by the hunters for sustaining their lives. The area that first began to grow chickpeas was the Middle East but later they were being grown in ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece during 7500 BC, where these were consumed in various forms like raw, broth, snacks, etc. They were later brought during the 16th century by the Spanish explorers, and since then chickpeas have been used in many forms. In fact, during the First World War, Germany started cultivating chickpeas as a coffee substitute.

Cultivation of Chickpeas : Chickpeas can withstand drought conditions, and are therefore, ideally suited for cultivation in areas which are relatively cooler and have a low level of rainfall. Since they are very sensitive to excess water, they grow well on sandy soils, but having an appropriate drainage conditions. Chickpeas are rabi crops that are grown in India during the periods of September to November. While desi type chickpeas take 95-105 days to mature, Kabuli type’s chickpeas take 100-110 days to mature. The harvesting of chickpeas is done during the months of February, March and April. At times, chickpeas are also grown on a rotation basis, along with other crops like jowar, bajra, wheat and coriander.

Nutritional Elements of Chickpeas : Chickpeas are healthy as they contain many nutritional elements that are deemed necessary for the proper growth of our body. Chickpeas contain many vital vitamins like Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, B2 and B3, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Foliate and Pantothenic acid. They also contain many important minerals like calcium, iron, molybdenum, potassium, manganese, copper, zinc, etc. Other nutrients that are found in chickpeas are dietary fibers, carbohydrates, proteins, moisture etc.