Who are these formats for?

Festival stall organisers serving food quickly

If you need to put dishes together without soaking or lengthy cooking on site, ready-prepared chickpeas let you get straight to setting up, following the usage instructions for the product you choose.

Cooks preparing larger quantities in advance

If you have access to a kitchen and can start the day before, dried organic chickpeas can be used as the basis for several portions, as long as you allow time for soaking and cooking.

Shoppers buying small portions for breakfast

For a small buffet or a few bowls, a smaller pack may suit the number of portions you need to prepare. Be sure to check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ statements on the product you buy.

What should you check before buying?

Start by checking the organic certification. According to Agence Bio, the EU organic logo, known as the Euro-leaf, confirms that a product meets the European Union’s rules on organic farming. Then choose a format to suit your preparation time, and check the usable quantity and labelling of the product you select.

Criteria What to check Who is it for?
Quick service Preparation instructions; drained net weight of the jar or tin. If the stall needs to open without cooking on site, you’ll need to be able to assemble dishes straight away; around 45% of consumers would make quick service their priority.
Preparing larger quantities Time available for soaking and cooking; quantity of dried chickpeas to prepare. If the kitchen is available the day before, it’s possible to prepare several servings in advance; almost 33% of consumers would prioritise preparing larger quantities.
Portion and ingredients Pack weight; ingredients and allergen information. For a small buffet, a smaller portion may mean you don’t have to open a large pack, but you’ll still need to consider guests’ dietary restrictions; around 22% of consumers would put portion size and ingredients at the top of their priorities.

Serving mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming ‘natural’ means organically certified

    A general product description is no substitute for a clear statement of certification. This is particularly important if your festival menu advertises organic ingredients.

    Check the labelling on the product you buy and look for verifiable certification, such as the Euro-leaf. According to Agence Bio, this logo confirms that a product meets European organic farming rules.

  • Buying dried chickpeas when you need to serve food straight away

    Auchan’s product details for Paysans d’Ici dried chickpeas call for overnight soaking, followed by around an hour of cooking. That timetable won’t work if you’re starting to prepare just before service.

    Save this product for menus prepared in advance. If you’re short on time, check the instructions for using ready-prepared organic chickpeas in a jar or tin.

  • Assuming an organic product is free from allergens

    E.Leclerc’s product details for the Bio Village jar warn that it may contain traces of gluten. The details for Monoprix Bio’s 120 g pack mention traces of cereals containing gluten, sesame and soya. Organic certification doesn’t replace the need to read this information.

    Check the packaging of the batch you’re serving, and take the ingredient and allergen information into account when preparing the buffet.

  • Confusing pack weight with drained weight

    For a jar or tin, the total weight won’t necessarily match the quantity of chickpeas once the liquid has been drained. This can throw off your portion calculations.

    When planning service for a product that needs draining, use the drained net weight shown on the packaging.

Brands and ranges to consider

Carrefour Bio

Carrefour’s 660 g tin of organic chickpeas is suited to recipes that need a larger pack than a single portion.

  • Carrefour’s product details list soaked and blanched organic chickpeas, water and 0.69% Noirmoutier sea salt.
  • Check how much drained chickpeas your recipe needs rather than relying on the tin’s total weight alone.

Bio Village (E.Leclerc)

E.Leclerc’s range includes 500 g packs of dried organic chickpeas and a jar with a drained net weight of 215 g. The right choice largely depends on how much time you have to prepare them.

  • The product details for the dried format state that the chickpeas are organically grown and sourced from France.
  • The dried format may contain traces of soya, while the jar may contain traces of gluten. Check the information for the product you choose.

Auchan / Paysans d’Ici

Auchan describes its 500 g Paysans d’Ici chickpeas as organic, fair trade and grown in France. The dried format is suited to cooking planned before the event.

  • The product details give clear instructions: soak overnight, then cook for around an hour.
  • Allow time for preparation; this product isn’t suitable when you need to serve food straight away.

Lidl / Goldensun

Lidl lists chickpeas among the organic pulses in its Goldensun range, an option to consider if you’re planning to cook with a dried product.

  • The range explicitly lists chickpeas among its organic pulses.
  • Check the product and its preparation instructions on the pack before planning your menu.

Monoprix Bio

Monoprix’s 120 g pack is suited to a small portion rather than preparing larger quantities.

  • The product details describe rehydrated chickpeas from organic farming, packed in a protective atmosphere.
  • The product may contain traces of cereals containing gluten, sesame and soya; read the packaging before serving.

Aldi / Fleurs des Champs

Aldi offers Fleurs des Champs chickpeas in a 265 g pack. If you’re looking for an organic option, the product name alone isn’t proof of certification.

  • The 265 g pack could work well for a small preparation.
  • Only include this product on a menu advertised as organic if its labelling shows verifiable certification.

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Frequently asked questions

How can you tell if chickpeas are certified organic?

Look for verifiable organic certification on the label. According to Agence Bio, the Euro-leaf confirms that a product meets the European Union’s rules on organic farming; words such as ‘natural’ or ‘plant-based’ don’t serve the same purpose.

For a festival stall, should you choose dried or ready-prepared chickpeas?

Choose ready-prepared organic chickpeas in a jar or tin if you need to start serving quickly, and follow the product’s usage instructions. If you’re cooking the day before, dried chickpeas are an option: Auchan’s product details for Paysans d’Ici call for overnight soaking and around an hour of cooking.

Which ingredients and allergens should you check before serving chickpeas?

Read the ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ statements for the product you’re actually serving. E.Leclerc and Monoprix’s product details list different traces for their organic products, so make your choice based on the label on the pack you buy, not just the range name.

Does organic certification mean the chickpeas come from France?

No. Organic certification and country of origin are separate details to check on the packaging. E.Leclerc states that its 500 g Bio Village dried chickpeas are from France. For other products, check the origin information on the pack.