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	10g
- Dietary fiber	10 g
Fat	6 g
Protein	22 g
Water	10 g
Vitamin A equiv.	2 μg (0%)
Niacin (vit. B3)	1 mg (7%)
Folate (vit. B9)	437 μg (109%)
Calcium	45 mg (5%)
Iron	4 mg (31%)
Magnesium	166 mg (47%)
Phosphorus	318 mg (45%)
Potassium	846 mg (18%)
Sodium	64 mg (4%)
Zinc	2 mg (21%)
Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database

Gram flour is a ceral flour made from ground chickpeas. It is also known as chickpea flour, garbanzo flour, or besan (Bengali: বেসন beshon). Used in many countries, it is a staple ingredient in Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi cuisines, and, in the form of a paste with water or yoghurt, a popular facial exfoliant in the Indian Subcontinent.^[1] Moreover, when mixed with an equal proportion of water, it can be used as an egg-replacer in vegan cooking.^[2]

Chila (or chilla), a pancake made with gram flour batter, is a popular street and fast food in India.

Gram flour contains a high proportion of carbohydrates^[3] but no gluten.^[4] Despite this, in comparison to other flours, it has a relatively high proportion of protein.^[5]

Dishes

In other parts of South and Southeast Asia the flour is used to make the following:

• bonda
• pakoras
• papadums
• onion bhajjis
• Bikaneri Bhujia
• Burmese tofu
• Dhokla
• Mysore pak
• jidou liangfen

It is used in Italian cuisine to make farinata and in French cuisine to make socca.

If parboiled potatoes are rolled in the flour prior to roasting they take on a golden colour and a crisp texture.

Notes

1. ^ "What is gram flour?". Blurtit.com. http://www.blurtit.com/q123457.html. Retrieved 2007-09-29. 
2. ^ The Vegan Society. "Egg Substitutes". Vegansociety.com. http://www.vegansociety.com/hubpage.aspx?id=677034. Retrieved 2009-12-31. 
3. ^ "Chickpea flour (besan)". Nutrition Data: Nutrition Facts and Calorie Counter. http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-C00001-01c2194.html. Retrieved 2007-09-29. 
4. ^ "Grains and Flours Glossary: Besan". Celiac Sprue Association. http://www.csaceliacs.org/gluten_grains.php. Retrieved 2007-09-29. 
5. ^ "Chickpea flour (besan)". Nutrition Data: Nutrition Facts and Calorie Counter. http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-C00001-01c2194.html. Retrieved 2007-09-29.