Chickpeas

• Kabuli Chickpeas
• Desi Chickpeas

Chickpeas are native to the Middle East and have traditionally been grown throughout the semi-arid regions of India and the Mediterranean. Today, chickpea is the third most important pulse crop (after dry bean and pea), making up 15 percent of the worlds total pulse production.

Kabuli chickpeas have large, round, cream to white colored seeds with a thin white (zero tannin) seed coat. The seeds are about twice the size of field pea (260 to 600 g/1000 seeds). They are usually sold whole, with larger seeds receiving a higher premium. About 10 to 15 percent of the worlds chickpea production is of the kabuli type with the remainder of the production being the desi type. Desi Chickpea seeds are smaller (120 to 300 g/1000 seeds) and more angular, with the seed coat varying in colour from green to purple, brown or black. Desi chickpea plants are shorter, higher yielding, earlier maturing and more resistant to disease, frost and insect damage than kabuli chickpea plants.