What is a chickpea?
Q: What is a chickpea?
A: A chickpea is a yellow edible legume (bean) that can be used for cooking.
Q: How are chickpeas sold?
A: Chickpeas can be bought canned or dried.
Q: Where was the first chickpea grown?
A: The first chickpea was grown in the Middle East about 7,500 years ago.
Q: Where is the most popular place for chickpeas to grow?
A: The most popular place for chickpeas to grow is in Pakistan.
Q: What is another name for chickpeas that are grown in India?
A: Chickpeas that are grown in India are also known as the Indian pea.
Q: Why are chickpeas important for vegetarians or vegans?
A: Chickpeas can be an important part of a vegetarian or vegan diet, since they come from a plant and contain a great deal of protein, zinc and folic acid.
Q: How can chickpeas be used in cooking?
A: Chickpeas can be boiled and served whole or mashed, such as in the popular dish hummus. They can also be ground into a flour, called "besan" or "gram" flour, used in South Asian cooking.
