Chickpeas are a plant classified among legumes and are cultivated in the Mediterranean Sea Basin, especially in Italy, North Africa, Turkey, and the Levant.
Chickpeas are present in several forms/shapes where there is the white chickpea, the black chickpea, the red chickpea, orchard chickpea, wild chickpeas, and the Cresean chickpea.
Chickpeas contain much protein where it’s considered a meat alternative, and it occupies a special position on the Mediterranean tables as a famous and popular plate and can be consumed either boiled, cooked, or mashed (mixed).

History of Chickpeas Plant

The chickpeas plant was cultivated for the first time in Mesopotamia before the date by 7,000 years (i.e., 7,000 BC) and was cultivated in Syria, then in Turkey in about 5450 BC.
Other opinions say the origin of the chickpeas is Iran, then Caucasian it spreads to Iraq, Syria, Greece, and then Egypt.
It’s also said that the original place of chickpeas is Asia where the wild chickpeas plants were found there. Also, chickpeas are famous in North Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, Southern Asia, and America.
Chickpeas are cultivated in Asia because of are suitable for the prevailing environmental conditions where the chickpeas plant is adapted in arid and semiarid areas and the surface area cultivated in Asia is 92% of the world cultivated area of chickpea.
Because of the ability of chickpeas to absorb water at high efficiency where it has deep roots reaching too far depth of soil and can reach the water table.
India is in the world first place at a percent of 70% then comes to Pakistan and then Morocco and then Syria.
Chickpeas plant is used in the first place for nutrition (as food) and Also, it’s used in several medical and food industries.

Chickpeas Cultivation

Chickpeas are a plant of legumes that are cultivated in moderate climates because chickpeas can tolerate neither severe cold nor severe hot weather.
Chickpeas are considered as one of the winter plants which grow in deep sandy soil because they keep high humidity to help chickpeas for good growing.
Chickpeas take from 3 to 4 months to ripe and are cultivated in coastal areas in late February, while in inland plains it’s cultivated in March, while in high mountains the chickpeas are cultivated in late April. Therefore, the chickpeas cultivation times start from January up to late March.
Chickpeas are cultivated in sunny areas where the plant should have 6 hours of sunshine daily.
Chickpeas should be cultivated in good draining land for water with enough space for the growth of seedlings and, the soil should have organic matter, and that chickpeas should not have cultivated in muddy lands or lands containing a high percentage of nitrogen.

Types of Chickpeas Plants

There are two types of chickpeas plants which are:

DESI chickpeas with their dark color and a rough outer surface and small-sized grains. DESI chickpeas are cultivated in Mexico, India, Iran, and Ethiopia.
These are Also, Kabuli chickpeas with light color and less rough surface than DESI. The Kabuli chickpeas are cultivated in Southern Europe, Africa, and Chili.
There are other uncommon types of chickpeas which are:
Bengal: its black chickpeas and is cultivated in India and southern Asia. The black chickpeas contain high nutritional value and are used in many cultural recipes in India such as Curry, goulashes, soups, and bread.
The black chickpeas help to reduce infections and treatment of joint/urethral pains, Also, it helps in strengthening bones where it contains calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorous.
Black chickpeas help in treating neural problems such as the nervous system and, it’s rich in vitamins and minerals which reinforce immunity and increase the body strength’s and provide it with vitamins and minerals.
The green chickpea: this is largely like green peas.
The green chickpeas are very beneficial, being an appetite enhancer and food digestive. Also, it contains many minerals such as potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, calcium, sodium. Green chickpeas treat many diseases such as a headache, constipation, and diabetes and, it treats the ailments of the digestive system and bladder illnesses.
Green chickpeas help in weight loss because it contains many fibers and, it enhances immunity, and fights bacteria and various diseases because it contains antioxidants.

Nutritional Value of Chickpeas Plant

The dry chickpeas plant contains 2.2 grams of fibers and:

• 9 mg of vitamin C.
• 24 mg of vitamin B6.
• 68 mg of iron.
• 5 mg of magnesium.
• 7 mg of niacin.
• 3 mg of choline.
• 16 mg of calcium.
• 1 mg of thiamine.
• 2 mg of riboflavin.
• 15 mg of pantothenic acid.
• 86 mg of potassium.
• 9 grams of threonine.
• 18 grams of leucine.
• 3 grams of methionine.
• 2 grams of tryptophan.
• 9 mg of copper.
• 3 mg manganese.
• 5 mg sodium.
• 12 grams of Cyrene.
• 1 gram of glycine.
• 11 grams of alanine.
• 1 gram of proline.
• 6 grams of tyrosine.
• 23 grams of arginine.
• 23 grams of arginine.
• 13 grams of phenylalanine
• 17 grams of yesine.
• 11 grams of alisolyockine.

Advantages of Chickpeas Plant

Chickpeas plant contains a high percentage of proteins and fibers, and it contains some minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, and Omega-3, therefore it’s a useful and important alternative for vegetarians and those who follow a diet that relies on fewer calories.
Chickpeas plant improves mood and helps in better sleep.
Chickpeas plant helps prevent diseases of the digestive system and constipation and helps to increase useful bacteria in the intestines.
Chickpeas plant helps in strengthening hair and lengthening it and promoting its growth because it contains Omega-3 and Also, it provides vitality to the skin.
Also, chickpeas help to reduce harmful cholesterol and increase the useful cholesterol within the body.
Chickpeas protect against diabetes and help to regulate the level of blood sugar and reduce high blood sugar.
Chickpeas contain important amino acids for building muscles and normal tissues.
Chickpeas help to support bone health where it contains calcium, magnesium, and iron which helps to protect against diseases that affect bones such as osteoporosis, and it strengthens teeth and saves them.
Chickpeas don’t contain many fats, therefore it’s ideal for weight loss and for those who follow a diet where it can prepare many recipes from chickpeas and can be added Also, to many recipes. Also, chickpeas contain many fibers which help in feeling satisfaction and chickpeas also contain fewer calories.
Chickpeas can be used as an alternative for infant milk formula, and it doesn’t contain allergy-causing ingredients like soya beans which are used in producing infant milk formula.