Desi Chick peas: The Desi type is smaller in size, has a thick, dark colored seed coat and is either de-hulled and split or de-hulled and ground into flour. It can also be roasted and puffed after splitting. Desi Chick peas has high fiber content compared to the Kabuli variety, which has small, darker seeds and a rough coat, cultivated mostly in the Australia, Indian subcontinent, Iran, Mexico & Ethiopia. The Desi (meaning country or local in Hindi) is also known as Bengal gram or kala chana. The Desi type is used to make Chana Dal, which is a split chickpea with the skin removed. Desi Chick peas are used mainly in dhal, sauces, puffed or ground into flour. It is widely used in Asian and African cuisines. Desi is likely the earliest form since it closely resembles seeds found both on archaeological sites and the wild plant ancestor (Cicero reticulate) of domesticated chick peas, which only grows in southeast Turkey, where it is believed to have originated. Desi chick peas have a markedly higher fiber content than Desi types have small angular seeds weighing about 120 mg, are wrinkled at the beak and range in color from brown, light brown, fawn, yellow, orange, black or green. They are normally dehulled and split to obtain dhal and are favored in India. It is mainly produced in Australia, Canada, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Malawi in Africa & exported to India, Bangladesh, Pakistan & Sri Lanka. Specification of Desi Chick Peas Properties Values / Limits Foreign Matter Max. 1% Green (Cotyledon color), Immature, shrunken, shriveled seeds Max. 3% Broken and Splits Max. 2% Damaged and Weeviled 3% (Weeviled 2% max.) Moisture 10% Varietals Admixture Max. 3% Processing The grades are Machine Cleaned, HPS (hand-picked and selected) Sortexed Storage Chick peas can be stored for 6-12 months, without exposure to heat, light and moisture.
