Besan (Gram flour)

English Name: Chickpea flour / Garbanzo flour / Gram flour

Common Indian Name (Hindi): Besan

• Gram flour is made from ground Chana dal, a legume otherwise known as chickpeas.
• It has a slightly nutty flavor and earthy aroma.
• Gram flour contains a high proportion of carbohydrate but no gluten.
• In comparison to other flours gram flour has a relatively high proportion of protein.
• It is used in Italian cuisine to make farinata and in French cuisine to make socca.
• In Indian cooking flour is used widely as a thickener in curries, it also is used to make fritters called pakoras, pancakes and savory balls. Kadhi, a North-Indian soup, combines besan with yogurt and cooked spices.
• It is also mixed with milk as a cleansing face wash.