Gram flour is a pulse flour made from ground chickpeas or chana dahl. It is also known as chickpea flour, garbanzo flour, or besan (in Tamil, Kadalai Maavu தமிழ் - கடலை மாவு)(Bengali: বেসন beshon). Used in many countries, it is a staple ingredient in Indian, Pakistani 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.
In the form of a paste with water or yogurt, it is also popular as a facial exfoliant in the Indian Subcontinent. When mixed with an equal proportion of water, it can be used as an egg-replacer in vegan cooking.
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 but no gluten. Despite this, in comparison to other flours, it has a relatively high proportion of protein.
Read more about Gram Flour: Dishes
Famous quotes containing the word flour:
“Strong be thy wallis that about the standis;
Wise be the people that within the dwellis;
Fresh is thy ryver with his lusty strandis;
Blith be thy chirches, wele sownyng be thy bellis;
Riche be thy merchauntis in substance that excellis
Fair be thy wives, right lovesom, white and small;
Clere be thy virgyns, lusty under kellis:
London, thou art the flour of Cities all.”
—William Dunbar (c. 1465–c. 1530)