Scientifically termed Cicer arietinum, chickpea is a legume that belongs to the Fabaceae family. It is also known as gram, Bengal gram, garbanzo (garbanzo beans), and Egyptian pea. Chickpea is exceptionally high in protein (which is what it is primarily known for). Chickpea is one of the earliest cultivated legumes – remains as old as 7,500 years were found in the Middle East. Domesticated chickpeas have been found in Neolithic pottery in certain parts of Turkey.
