Origin: Chickpea flour is made from chickpeas that are ground into flour. Originally found in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, chickpeas have since become popular across the world.
Chickpea flour is also known as gram flour. It is solely made of chickpeas, it’s naturally gluten-free and also rich in protein, fiber, and other vitamins and minerals. It’s a staple ingredient in South Asia and Southern Europe but has recently gained popularity worldwide as a gluten-free flour. Chickpeas are one of the earliest cultivated legumes in the world. Remains of chickpeas have been found from the Middle East which are roughly 7,500 years old. These remains were found in Turkey and other samples were found in Greece, France, and other areas of Europe.
Chickpeas belong to the class of high-fiber foods called legumes or pulse, which also includes beans, lentils, and green peas. Chickpea flour is popular in Asia and the Middle East. For example, it’s considered a staple ingredient in Indian, Pakistani, Nepali and Bangladeshi cuisines.
Scientifically: Cicer arietinum is the scientific name for Chickpeas. It is a high protein legume. The health benefits of chickpea have received rising interest from researchers, and their consumption and production have increased worldwide. There is a higher chickpea consumption in the Mediterranean region than other European countries.
Usage: Chickpeas also offer a good array of vitamins and minerals. For example, they’re thought to have calcium and magnesium in an ideal ratio, a very high amount of folate — which is essential for a healthy pregnancy — a good dose of energizing B vitamins like vitamin B6 and a decent amount of heart-healthy potassium. They even contain some of the powerful antioxidant mineral selenium, as well as iron and plenty of plant-based protein. Gluten-free diets are also becoming more popular, so you’ll love the addition of this flour to your pantry if you’ve recently decided to go gluten-free.
It is a great source of fiber and helps in heart health. Gramflour also helps in stabilizing blood sugar levels. It also aids weight loss and improves metabolism. Gram flour has numerous skin and hair benefits.
Below are some DIYs with Gram flour:
- Take a tablespoon of gram flour and add some yogurt to it. Mix them together and apply on the face for 10 minutes. Rinse later. This helps in achieving blemish-free skin.
- Take a tablespoon of gram flour and add some honey to it with a pinch of turmeric. Mix and apply on the face for 10 minutes. This pack helps in hydrating the skin.
- Take 2 teaspoons of gram flour, add a teaspoon of raw milk to it and some lemon juice to make a paste. Apply this mixture on the face. Once slightly dry, gently scrub the face and then rinse. This pack helps in removing tan.
- Take 2 tablespoons of gram flour with a tablespoon of oats. Add some coconut oil to it. Use this paste to exfoliate the skin. Rinse later. This scrub helps in removing the dead skin.
- Take a teaspoon of gram flour with a teaspoon of fenugreek powder. Add some water to it and make a thick paste. Apply this mixture for 5-10 minutes. Scrub gently while washing it off. This pack helps in reducing facial hair.
- Take a tablespoon of gram flour. Add some honey and one egg white to it. Combine all the ingredients together and apply on the face. Let it dry for 10 minutes and then rinse. This pack helps to reverse the aging process of the skin. It also firms and tightens the skin.