Which format is right for you?

Hosts cooking at the last minute

To quickly prepare hummus, a salad or a side dish, ready-cooked chickpeas save you having to plan ahead for soaking and cooking a bag of dried chickpeas.

Anyone preparing a large batch

Dried chickpeas are a good choice if you’re planning the meal in advance and have time to soak and then cook them.

Anyone who wants to control the seasoning

If you’d rather add the salt and spices yourself, compare the ingredients in no-added-salt versions with those in tins containing water and salt.

What should you check before buying?

When entertaining at home, first decide whether you have time to cook dried chickpeas. Then check the ingredients and the quantity you can use in your recipe.

What to consider What to check Who is this for?
Preparation time Check whether the chickpeas are dried or already cooked, and read the preparation instructions. When I decide on a meal at the last minute, I want to make the recipe without waiting for anything to cook. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this convenience.
Ingredients and seasoning Compare the ingredients, the ‘salt’ line in the nutritional information and the allergen details. When I’m cooking for guests, I want to choose the seasoning myself and take any stated allergens into account. Around 33% of consumers put this level of control first.
Organic certification and quantity Check the organic certification details, then look at the drained weight of a ready-cooked product or the dry weight of a bag. When making a larger batch, I need to buy the right amount for the number of guests and choose a clearly identifiable organic product. Around 25% of consumers prioritise these factors.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Confusing dried and ready-cooked chickpeas

    You can’t use a bag of dried chickpeas to make the same recipe straight away as you can with a jar of cooked chickpeas: you’ll need to allow time for soaking and cooking.

    For a last-minute get-together, choose a ready-cooked product. If you buy dried chickpeas, check the instructions and start preparing them well in advance.

  • Assuming all organic products have the same ingredients

    Depending on the product, organic chickpeas may contain added salt or carry different warnings about traces of allergens.

    Before cooking for guests, check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product, as well as its ‘salt’ listing.

  • Comparing dry weight with the weight of a jar

    The weight of a bag of dried chickpeas and the drained weight of a jar are two different measures.

    To work out how much you need, use the drained weight for ready-cooked products, or check the dry weight and preparation instructions on the bag.

  • Stopping at the word ‘organic’

    This label doesn’t tell you how long the product takes to prepare, what else has been added or how much you can use in your recipe.

    Check the product’s organic certification details, then choose a format, ingredients and weight that suit your get-together.

Brands to know

Carrefour Bio

Carrefour offers a 660 g tin of organic chickpeas for recipes that call for a ready-cooked product.

  • The listed ingredients are organic chickpeas, water and Noirmoutier salt.
  • Noirmoutier salt makes up 0.69 % of the listed recipe, so bear this in mind if you want to season the dish entirely yourself.

Bio Village

E.Leclerc offers a 500 g bag of dried organic chickpeas, a good choice when you can plan ahead.

  • The dried format lets you cook the chickpeas according to the instructions on the bag.
  • The product information warns that it may contain traces of soya; check the packaging if this matters to one of your guests.

Auchan Bio

Auchan offers a 330 g jar of organic chickpeas, particularly suited to hummus and salads.

  • The product information lists organic chickpeas, water and sea salt, and says to drain and rinse before serving cold.
  • The product information warns that it may contain traces of cereals containing gluten, so check the label on the jar you buy.

d'aucy

This no-added-salt organic option in a jar gives you a base that you can season yourself.

  • The listed ingredients are organic chickpeas and water; the drained weight is 215 g.
  • The product information warns that it may contain traces of cereals containing gluten and soya.

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Frequently asked questions

How can you check whether chickpeas are organic in France?

Check the certification details on the packaging, including the EU organic logo if it appears on the product. The French Ministry of Agriculture explains that organic farming is governed by European regulations. The word ‘organic’ doesn’t replace checking the format and ingredients.

How long should you allow for dried chickpeas?

E.Leclerc’s preparation advice is to soak them overnight, then cook for around 1 h 30 in a saucepan or 40 minutes in a pressure cooker. Follow the instructions on the bag you buy when planning your recipe.

Should you rinse chickpeas from a jar before serving?

For its jar of organic chickpeas, Auchan advises draining and rinsing the product before serving it cold. Check the instructions on the jar you choose rather than assuming this applies to every product.

How should you store a jar after opening?

For its no-added-salt organic option, d'aucy advises transferring the chickpeas to an airtight container, keeping them in the fridge and preferably eating them within two days. This advice applies to this product, so check the label on the jar you buy.