Do you like falafel and hummus? If so, you might be familiar with chickpeas. You can easily spot these beans with their beige color.
Chickpeas are often found in stews and salads. They are one of the best kidney bean substitutes and are a significant part of Asian cuisine.
This is because chickpeas are a tasty addition to any snack or meal. But what do they taste like?
Chickpeas are pretty starchy and quite like pinto and cannellini beans. They have a unique earthy taste with special nutty undertones.
Read this discourse to explore the taste of chickpeas and the many different ways to use these beans in your meals.
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What Are Chickpeas?
Associated with the Fabaceae family, chickpeas are legumes with other names, such as the Egyptian pea, Chole, and Bengal gram. Chickpeas are pretty versatile, making them an ideal ingredient for many recipes.
Chickpeas taste great in hummus or spreads when blended well with other ingredients. Moreover, many people also enjoy them roasted and boiled.
In addition to that, these beans are perfect for people looking for something healthy to eat. Since they have a high protein content and low calories, vegans often use chickpeas.
Chickpeas also have lots of vitamins and minerals. In addition, they are rich in dietary fibers and can help people treat inflammation.
These beans also contain high levels of potassium, which is considered great for lowering blood pressure levels. In addition, they improve bone health and can also contribute to weight management when consumed regularly.
A bowl of chickpeas offers way more benefits than expected. However, is its taste worth the hype?
What Do Chickpeas Taste Like?
Simply put, chickpeas taste great. They are not only nutritious but also have a delicious flavor, making your taste buds dance with joy every time.
These beans have a bean-like flavor that doesn't overpower other ingredients. They are a little salty but relatively mild, so you can add them to any recipe you like.
What's more, chickpeas have an earthy and nutty touch. The taste lingers on the tongue for an extended time.
Chickpeas are pretty similar to pinto beans and cannellini beans, but they are more healthy and tasty.
Interestingly, the taste of chickpeas can vary according to the cooking style. For instance, chickpeas taste like potatoes when mashed. Mashed chickpeas have a unique grainy texture and are pretty creamy and soft.
So as long as you cook them properly, chickpeas won't disappoint you.
Best Ways to Cook Chickpeas
Chickpeas are available in three forms, dried, roasted, and canned. Dried chickpeas are fresh but need some background work to make them ready to cook.
For instance, dried chickpeas are pretty big and hard. Therefore, you must soak them in water overnight before using them in your recipe the next day.
Alternatively, you can make chickpeas in the Instant Pot and save time, since that way you don't need to soak the beans beforehand.
Dried chickpeas are comparatively inexpensive. Once you have soaked the beans in water for a reasonable duration, drain the water. Then add the chickpeas to a stockpot containing water to the top.
Let your chickpeas simmer for some time until they are soft. After the chickpeas are adequately cooked, drain their water and refrigerate them for up to three days if you want to use them later.
On the other hand, canned chickpeas are boiled and are instantly ready to go in a recipe. That said, canned beans are usually salty. In that case, you can rinse them with water before adding chickpeas to your salads and stews.
Canned chickpeas can also be used to make Instant Pot Hummus that you can enjoy with your favorite bread.
Roasted chickpeas are deliciously crispy and take only a short time to cook. To roast these beans, simply spread them in a tray and drizzle olive oil.
Then place the tray in a preheated oven and bake until the chickpeas are slightly brown. Finally, season the chickpeas with your preferred spices before serving.
How to Store Chickpeas?
If you like the taste of chickpeas and don't want the leftovers to go to waste, it is wise to store them properly. Besides, when stored smartly, chickpeas retain their original flavor and taste great regardless of how you use them.
- If you have canned chickpeas, make sure that you place them in an airtight container. You can then drizzle some olive oil over the beans and store them in a refrigerator for five days.
- On the other hand, dried chickpeas can remain fresh for a year if stored in a dry place and airtight bag. After a year, they start getting soggy and stale, losing their texture and flavor.
- Soaked chickpeas should also be stored in an airtight container. Make sure that you drain their water and rinse them properly before storing them.
- For roasted chickpeas, place a container with its lid at room temperature. This method helps keep the roasted chickpeas crunchy for up to three days.
What Can We Conclude?
There is no doubt that chickpeas are divine and taste great when cooked well. These beans are mildly salty and sweet and blend well with other ingredients. When mashed, chickpeas taste like mashed potatoes with a soft texture, but if roasted, they taste crunchy and earthy.
Since chickpeas are quite versatile, you can use them in many recipes. They elevate the overall flavor of your dish and hence deserve a chance at your next party or weekend dinner.
So, whether you use them for hummus or falafel, bring home these nutritious and delicious beans and thank us later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Raw and fresh chickpeas usually taste like green peas. They have a refreshing taste that makes you remind of Spring.
Many people think that chickpeas have a special nutty flavor that makes them similar to butter beans. However, the textures of both are different. Chickpeas can be your best substitute if you don't enjoy traditional buttery beans.
Yes, interestingly, chickpeas also have a mild sweet flavor. However, the earthy tones and nutty taste overpower the sweetness.
You can pair chickpeas with herbs, caramelized onions, spices, and vegetables. They also taste great with chicken, and you can toss them with rice or pasta as well.
Chickpeas Recipes
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