Black chickpeas are a variety of chickpea with a dark skin, an intense colour and a flavour of their own. Their roots lie in the Middle East and South Asia, where they have been grown and eaten since ancient times. Here is where they come from, why they are not “beluga” anything, how they are used in the kitchen, and where to find them.
Black chickpeas are a pulse with distinctive features, appreciated in many cuisines around the world. They have been cultivated for centuries, and they have their own place in the culinary history of many cultures.
Where black chickpeas come from
The roots of black chickpeas can be traced back to the regions of the Middle East and South Asia, where they have been grown and eaten since antiquity. Their presence in the kitchens of countries such as India, Iran and Arabia played an important part in spreading them and in making them known.
One point worth clearing up: black chickpeas are not what people mean by “beluga”. That name is used for black lentils, which are a different pulse altogether. Black chickpeas are valued for their distinctive flavour and deep colour, as well as for what they bring to the table nutritionally.
Nutritious and versatile in the kitchen
Rich in protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals, black chickpeas have become steadily more popular in recent years, thanks to their nutritional profile and their versatility in the kitchen. They take on flavour as they cook, which suits them to a wide range of dishes, from spiced curries to hearty soups. Their creamy texture also lends itself to hummus and purées.
Their spread across the world has gone hand in hand with a growing interest in a balanced, nourishing diet. Cooks and food lovers everywhere have taken them up and tried them in new and creative recipes. If you want to try chickpeas the Apulian way, start from our recipe for ciceri e tria, the traditional Apulian dish of pasta and chickpeas.
Where to buy black chickpeas online
Black chickpeas are a fascinating chapter in the history of food: their origins, their nutritional qualities and their distinctive flavour all add to the variety of international cooking. If you are wondering where to buy pulses online, La Terra di Puglia sells Apulian pulses, both dried and ready-cooked, alongside a wide range of other typical Apulian products.
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