Chickpea

legume · ancient food · nutrition

Ancient food crop. Chickpeas are one of the earliest plants that people ever grew and ate. Scientists found the oldest evidence of chickpeas in Syria, showing that people have loved them for thousands of years.

Part of the legume family. Chickpeas belong to the Fabaceae family, the same plant family as peas and lentils. Plants in this family are super cool because they can pull nitrogen from the air and put it into the soil, which helps other plants grow.

Called many names. Depending on where you live in the world, chickpeas go by different names like gram, garbanzo, Bengal gram, chana, or Egyptian pea. Even though they have lots of names, they're all the same delicious bean.

Packed with protein. Chickpeas are loaded with protein, fiber, and other nutrients that help your body grow strong and healthy. They're a favorite ingredient in hummus, curry, and salads all around the world.

Annual plant. Chickpeas are annual legumes, which means they grow from seed, flower, make new seeds, and complete their whole life in just one year.