Gram flour

Not to be confused with graham flour.

Gram flour
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)

Energy	1,619 kJ (387 kcal)

Carbohydrates	57 g
Sugars	10 g
Dietary fiber	10 g

Fat	6 g

Protein	22 g

Vitamins
Niacin (B3)	(7%) 1 mg
Folate (B9)	(109%) 437 μg

Trace metals
Calcium	(5%) 45 mg
Iron	(31%) 4 mg
Magnesium	(47%) 166 mg
Phosphorus	(45%) 318 mg
Potassium	(18%) 846 mg
Sodium	(4%) 64 mg
Zinc	(21%) 2 mg

Other constituents
Water	10 g
Units μg = micrograms • mg = milligrams IU = International units
Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database

Gram flour, also known as garbanzo bean flour, chickpea flour, or besan, is a pulse flour made from ground chickpeas. Used in many countries, it is a staple ingredient in Indian, Pakistani, Nepali and Bangladeshi cuisines. Gram flour can be made from either raw chickpeas or roasted chickpeas. The roasted variety is more flavorful, while the raw variety has a slightly bitter taste.^[1]

In the form of a paste with water or yogurt, it is also popular as a facial exfoliant in the Indian Subcontinent.^[2] When mixed with an equal proportion of water, it can be used as an egg replacer in vegan cooking.^[3]

Gram flour contains a high proportion of carbohydrates,^[4] no gluten,^[5] and a higher proportion of protein than other flours.^[4]

Dishes

South Asia

It is most popular in the cuisine of South Asia, where the flour is used to make the following:

In Andhra Pradesh chickpea flour is used in a curry made of cakes of gram flour popularly called Senaga Pindi Kura (Telugu: శెనగ పిండి కూర) and is had with Chapati or Puri, mostly during winter for breakfast.^[6] Chila (or chilla), a pancake made with gram flour batter, is a popular street food in India.

Southeast and East Asia

Southern Europe

Along the coast of the Ligurian Sea chickpea flour is used to make a thin pancake which is baked in the oven. This popular street food is called farinata in Italian cuisine, fainâ in Genoa and is known as socca or cade in French cuisine. It is used to make panelle, a fritter in Sicilian cuisine. In Spanish cuisine gram flour is an ingredient for tortillitas de camarones.

Notes