Chickpeas are a tasty addition to any meal or snack. Also known as beans, these peas are full of essential nutrients and minerals.
Chickpeas are a beloved ingredient in the Middle Eastern, Italian, Jewish, Philippine, Indian, Mediterranean, and many other cuisines. They are grown worldwide and have become a staple food item for some.
There is a lot that you can do with chickpeas. You may wonder, what do chickpeas taste like?
But let me assure you that they may look pale and boring, but they taste quite the opposite.
What are Chickpeas?
Chickpea is a legume that belongs to the family Fabaceae. It is also known as garbanzo bean, Egyptian pea, Bengal gram and chole.
From a delicious dipping sauce or spread- hummus, to a light evening snack- fried chickpeas, chickpeas have started to suit every taste palette.Its versatility is what makes it blend well with any kind of cuisine.
This proteinaceous food item is very well suited in vegan diets because of its high protein and moderate calorie content.
What Do Chickpeas Taste Like? Do Chickpeas Taste Good?
Chickpeas have the classic beany flavor which is an expected taste of the legume family. Apart from that, it has a nutty flavor with an earthy touch to it. It has a taste that lingers on your tongue for a long time.
Chickpeas taste a little similar to cannellini and pinto beans. Its flavor is not very mild, which makes it blend deliciously with any kind of food item.
The taste can differ according to the cooking style. When mashed, chickpeas have a soft, creamy but grainy texture. It feels more like how mashed potatoes feel in the mouth.
Chickpeas have a high nutrition profile. These peas are loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients such as iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B-6, and many others.
Chickpeas have a high amount of plant-based protein with zero cholesterol. Adding chickpeas to your diet can help tackle many health issues.
Its benefits include blood sugar control, weight loss, improved digestion, etc.
How to Cook Chickpeas?
Chickpeas are available in cans as well as in dried form. Cooking chickpeas is fun and super easy. Here are some of the best ways to cook chickpeas.
Remember that dried chickpeas triple in size after you’ve soaked them. The cooking time differs according to how you choose to cook the chickpeas.
Before you cook, soak the dried peas in a bowl with few inches of water over the level of the peas.
This is because the peas will triple in size and soak all the water. After this, choose how you want to cook.
- In stove
Add water and the soaked peas in a cooking pot and bring it to boil. Simmer the chickpeas on the pot for an hour or two. Take one chickpea and check if it has become soft.
Note: If you want firmer peas for salads etc., then cook without the lid on. While for making hummus, keep the lid ajar.
- In a pressure cooker
You can cook both soaked and unsoaked chickpeas in a pressure cooker.
If your peas are soaked then add the chickpeas and fill it with few inches of water and cook on high pressure for 12 minutes and let it naturally release for 10 minutes.
For unsoaked peas, cook on high pressure for 50 minutes and then naturally release for 10 minutes.
Final Thoughts
Chickpeas are delectable and loaded with essential nutrients and protein. They feel good in the mouth and keeps you fuller for long.
They are super easy to make and smoothly blends with any kind of cuisine.
They are popularly used in all kinds of cuisines worldwide and have become a personal favorite for a lot of people.
What Do Chickpeas Taste Like? Do Chickpeas Taste Good?
Ingredients
- Chickpeas
- Ingredients from your favorite recipes
Instructions
- Depending on the recipes you choose, the taste can vastly differ.
- For authentic results, it is important to choose a recipe that will highlight the original flavor.
- Have fun experimenting with different recipes and taste tests!
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