Chickpeas

Chickpeas—also known as garbanzo beans—are a versatile legume widely consumed in many cultures around the world. Though they’re often thought of as a humble pantry staple, the humble chickpea is quite an amazing journey from farm to table. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the science behind how a chickpea travels from the farm to your dinner plate.

The Journey Begins: From Farm to Selling Point

From planting to harvesting, the process of growing and processing chickpeas takes a considerable amount of time and requires a careful combination of the right climate and soil conditions. Chickpeas are most commonly grown in the Mediterranean region and in warm and dry parts of South Asia, though they’ve been grown in places as far away as Australia and the US for some time.

When it comes to gathering the chickpeas, farmers use a variety of practices, though age-old traditions still apply in some regions. In India, for example, farmers use a sickle to cut down the chickpeas. This practice “creates an optimal environment for promoting healthy chicks and maximizing yield,” according to the Indian government’s Ministry of Agriculture.

Once the chickpeas are collected, they’re cleaned, dried, and husked. Farmers typically store the dried crop in bulk and then clean and grade the grains according to size, shape, and color. The cleaning process is especially important to remove stones, weeds, and other residue.

Following the cleaning and grading process, the chickpeas are then stored in the appropriate containers and transported to a local selling point, such as a market or a processor. Here, the quality of the chickpeas is inspected to ensure they meet industry standards.

Processing and Packaging

Once the chickpeas are at the local processor, the next step is to process them for packaging. There are a few methods used to process chickpeas. The most common of which is by planting them in a press before passing them through rollers in order to separate the grain from the chaff and then cleanse the grains with water. Chickpeas can also be soaked in order to soften them before being subject to milling and further processing.

The next step in the processing process is to sort the chickpeas according to quality. Chickpeas are usually sorted into one of three categories: Whole, Split, and Desi. Whole chickpeas involve the entire grain and a large amount of fiber. Split chickpeas lack certain parts of the grain, along with some fiber. Desi chickpeas are split and then further treated with a skin-removal process.

Once the chickpeas have been graded and processed, they’re ready for packing. There are a few techniques used to package the chickpeas. For example, some processors utilize vacuum-sealed packs or metalizing. Others use more traditional methods like air-tight sacks, paper or plastic bags, or metal cans.

From Processing to Distribution

The final step of the processing process is to move the packaged chickpeas to the channels of distribution. Depending on the region, the distribution networks used to deliver the chickpeas can vary greatly. Some areas may require the use of trucks or ships, while others may use warehouses or other storage facilities to transport the chickpeas to distant locations.

Once the chickpeas have reached their designated markets or retailers, they’re ready for consumption. This could involve the simple addition of some herbs and spices before being cooked and consumed, or the chickpeas could be boiled, mashed, or served as a side dish.

Nutritional Benefits

When consumed, chickpeas offer a multitude of nutritional benefits, starting with their wealth of essential minerals and vitamins. Chickpeas are rich in manganese, folate, magnesium, and molybdenum, not to mention their high content of dietary fiber.

In terms of protein, chickpeas offer an optimal source, providing essential amino acids like threonine and isoleucine. The combination of carbohydrates, fibers, and amino acids offer a great balance of energy, contributing to a range of medical benefits.

Conclusion

As we’ve seen, the journey of a chickpea from farm to table is a long one, with plenty of stages involved. From planting and harvesting, to cleaning and sorting, to packaging and distribution, ultimately arriving at a dinner plate offering up a wealth of nutrients and energy—the humble chickpea has certainly come a long way.