Hardest The Humble Chickpea Trivia Quiz | Food & Drink

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The chickpea belongs to the legume family in the plant kingdom. According to the species classification, what animal do the humble pea resemble?

Answer: Ram

The word 'arietinum' is derived from Aries the Ram because some people saw a resemblance between the shape of the pea and a ram's head. Other people thought it was shaped like a brain. Every eater has to decide which one they favour.

2. From what language does the English word chickpea originate?

Answer: Latin

Chickpeas have no connection with chickens. The Latin word was 'cicer' and it reached English via French. Another name is dwarf peas, but worldwide they may be called garbanzo beans, shimbra or ceci beans.

3. What type of chickpea grows in countries such as Egypt and Chile?

Answer: Kabuli

There are two main types, being desi and kabuli. Desi is a darker, rougher pea, mostly found in India. Kabuli is the lighter and smoother type, better known in Europe and the Mediterranean.

4. In the past chickpeas were used to cure warts.

Answer: True

In Italian the word 'ceci' means both wart and chickpea. At some stage it was believed that you could cure warts by touching it to a chickpea plant at new moon.

5. In eighteenth century Europe, writers noted that chickpeas were being used as a substitute for what?

Answer: Coffee

In 1793 in Germany it was reported that roast chickpeas were a most agreeable substitute for coffee beans. In modern times people still find the aroma of roasted chickpeas pleasant.

6. Because chickpeas are high in dietary fibre, what disease are they considered beneficial for?

Answer: Diabetes

Desi chickpeas have a higher fibre content than the kabuli. Eating them do not raise the glucose in the body too much. Chickpeas may also help to lower cholesterol.

Proctitis is inflammation of the rectum lining, gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining and ileitis is inflammation of the ileum.

7. A three-bean salad may be made up of chickpeas, greenbeans and what other ingredient?

Answer: Kidney beans

The salad usually contains cooked pole beans, such as green or wax beans, chickenpeas and kidney beans. Sliced beetroot are added and all the ingredients marinated in a vinaigrette sauce.

8. In what country are the leaves of the chickpea plant eaten as a vegetable?

Answer: India

India grows the most chickpeas in the world. As such, the humble pea features prominently in Indian cuisine. Peas are ground up to make flour, eaten in salads and stews and fried as falafel. Seeds are eaten raw as a snack.

9. How long can dried chickpeas be stored?

Answer: Unlimited time

Dried chickpeas can be kept for an unlimited period but once soaked and cooked must be used within a couple of days. However, they may lose oil over time and you may have to grind them if you have stored them for longer than approximately a decade.

10. What is the name of the flour made from chickpeas?

Answer: Gram

Gram flour is also known as besan. The flour is used to make pakoras, papdums and Burmese tofu in Indian cuisine. The chickpeas must be pre-cooked, then spread on a baking tray and baked for about 3 hours. Left overnight to cool, the peas can be grinded to a fine flour the next day.

Latke is a traditional Jewish pancake. Gado-gado is an Indonesian vegetable salad with peanut sauce. Dolmas is a Greek dish of stuffed vine leaves.

Source: Author sterretjie101

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Terry before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

The Humble Chickpea Trivia Quiz

It is small and seemingly insignificant but the chickpea has some surprising qualities and uses.

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