Chickpeas: Classes, types and varieties

Classes, types and varieties
Determination of dockage
Grading
Grading factors
Primary and export grade determination tables
Export shipments

Chapter 22. Chickpeas (PDF, 671 KB)

Classes

There are two classes of chickpeas, Kabuli and Desi.

Kabuli chickpeas are typically whitish to light tan in colour however there are new varieties that are black or green in color.
Desi chickpeas are typically brown in colour and smaller than Kabuli.

Left: Kabuli type chickpea. Right: Desi type chickpea

The class of chickpea forms part of the grade name; for example, Chickpea, number 1 CW Kabuli. The method of determining the class of a chickpea is by the size and colour of the chickpea.