When choosing organic chickpeas, start by thinking about how much preparation time you have. Dried chickpeas need soaking and cooking, while the jar, tin and carton options mentioned here are ready to use according to their packaging instructions. Compare the amount of chickpeas you can actually use, especially the drained net weight of products packed in liquid. If you’re considering frozen chickpeas, check that the specific product is organic and read its preparation instructions before comparing it with the other formats.
If you can set aside time for soaking and cooking, a bag of dried chickpeas could suit the way you cook. When comparing quantities, remember that these are different from a tin or jar containing pre-cooked chickpeas in liquid.
If you want to use chickpeas without soaking them first, look for ready-to-use options. Auchan says its organic jar can be eaten cold after draining and rinsing; the Jardin Bio Étic carton is also described as ready to use.
If the stated origin, ingredients or allergen warnings affect your choice, check the label on the specific product. Bio Village states that the main ingredient in its 500 g bag of dried chickpeas is of French origin; other products warn that they may contain traces of soya or cereals containing gluten.
First decide whether you have time to cook dried chickpeas or need a ready-to-use option. Then check the quantities and the details specific to the product you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Usable quantity | Distinguish the weight of a bag of dried chickpeas from the drained net weight of a product packed in liquid. | I want to know how many chickpeas will actually go into my dish, without counting the liquid in the tin. Around 42% of consumers would make this comparison their main priority. |
| Preparation time | Check whether the product needs soaking and cooking, or can be used after draining and rinsing. | For a salad without any soaking, I’d choose a ready-to-use option; around 33% of consumers would put convenience first. |
| Product information | Read the organic details, stated origin, ingredients and any allergen or ‘may contain’ warnings. | I want to know the origin and ingredients of the product I’m adding to my basket. Around 25% of consumers would make this their priority. |
If you’re considering a frozen option, check the same details on the specific product: its organic status, stated quantity and preparation instructions. Don’t assume it can be used in the same way as tinned or dried chickpeas.
Dried chickpeas need soaking and cooking, while a ready-to-use option saves you those steps. So the quantity shown on the packaging doesn’t, by itself, tell you how much you’ll get for the same use.
First choose the level of preparation that suits your recipe, then compare products in that format.
In a jar or tin containing liquid, the total weight includes the liquid too. The DGCCRF states that the drained net weight must be shown on the label in this case.
Look for this information to see how many chickpeas you’ll have once they’re drained.
Organic certification doesn’t mean that every product has the same ingredients or ‘may contain’ warnings. The Auchan Bio and Monoprix Bio product listings warn of possible traces of cereals containing gluten; Monoprix Bio also mentions soya.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the product you’re buying.
A product listing doesn’t guarantee that the same format will be available in your local shop or for click and collect. E.Leclerc, for example, advises shoppers to check local availability of its Bio Village jar.
Check the format and exact product with your chosen collection point before planning your recipe.
These examples show how formats and labelling can vary between organic products; details for one product from a brand won’t necessarily apply to all its products.
Carrefour offers organic chickpeas ready to use in a 660 g tin, among other options.
E.Leclerc offers Bio Village organic chickpeas in a 500 g bag of dried chickpeas, as well as in a jar.
Auchan offers a 330 g jar of organic chickpeas, ready to use after draining and rinsing.
Monoprix offers a 265 g pack of organic chickpeas that are ready to use.
Carrefour offers ready-to-use Jardin Bio Étic organic chickpeas in a 405 g carton.
Check the organic information on the packaging of the specific product. The French Ministry of Agriculture explains that organic farming is governed by European regulations; the origin of the chickpeas is separate information, which you can check if it’s stated.
If the chickpeas are packed in liquid, check the drained net weight to find out how much you’ll have once they’re drained. The DGCCRF states that this information must appear on the label in this case; don’t confuse it with the total weight of the container.
Follow the storage instructions on your jar. For its Auchan Bio product, Auchan advises keeping the chickpeas in their liquid in the fridge and eating them within two days; instructions may vary from product to product.
No. Organic certification doesn’t replace checking the allergen information. The listing for the Auchan Bio jar warns of possible traces of cereals containing gluten; the Monoprix Bio chickpeas listing warns of possible traces of these cereals and soya.