Made from a grounded mixture of chickpeas, chickpea or gram flour is a chief condiment in Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi cuisines.
The flour is powdery yellow and has an earthy flavor adding savour to various dishes. Chickpea flour makes a tasty and crispy coating for deep-fried vegetable pakoras. The variety of chickpea flour depends on the kind of chickpea used to ground. One can use either raw or roasted chickpeas.
Roasted chickpea flour is more characterized; while raw flour has a slightly bitter taste. Also known as besan, it is used in gravies, batters, etc.
When made into a paste with water or yogurt, it is used popularly as a face cleanser in the Indian subcontinent. Also it is commonly used as a replacement for egg in vegetarian cooking.
Chila, a very popular fast food and snack is made from gram flour batter.
Gram flour contains high quantity of carbohydrate and no gluten. However, compared to other flours, gram flour is high in protein content.
It is also quite popular in Italian and French cuisines.
Nutritional Value
1. It reduces bad cholesterol level in the blood.
2. It minimizes the risk of colon cancer.
3. It is an essential source of Folic acid, that helps in the production red blood cells.
Did you know?
Chickpea flour can keep our brain younger. This is due to the presence of Folic acid.
Besan hair pack nourishes hair making it healthy and shiny.