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Besan flour, also known as gram flour or chickpea flour, is a versatile ingredient that has been integral to traditional diets across various cultures for centuries. Its significance extends beyond just culinary applications.

In this blog post, we will delve into the nutritional powerhouse of besan flour, explore its various uses, and understand why it should be a part of your daily diet.

The Nutritional Powerhouse - Besan Flour

Besan flour is renowned for its impressive nutritional profile. It is primarily derived from ground chickpeas, making it a potent source of essential nutrients. This golden flour boasts a balanced composition of proteins, carbohydrates, and dietary fiber, making it an excellent choice for health-conscious individuals.

Vitamins and Minerals

Besan flour is a source of essential vitamins and minerals such as B vitamins, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus. These micronutrients are crucial in various bodily functions, including energy metabolism and immune system support.

Health Benefits of Besan Flour

Incorporating besan flour into your diet can lead to a multitude of health benefits:

Weight Management

The high protein and fiber content in besan flour contributes to a sense of fullness, reducing overall calorie intake. It can be a valuable asset in weight management and achieving healthy weight loss goals.

Blood Sugar Control

Besan flour has a low glycemic index, which causes a gradual rise in blood sugar levels, preventing sudden spikes and crashes. It makes it an excellent choice for individuals with diabetes or those aiming to maintain stable blood sugar levels.

Heart Health

The low saturated fat content in besan flour supports heart health by reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, folate helps lower homocysteine levels, a risk factor for heart disease.

Besan Flour for Skin and Hair

Besan flour isn't just for consumption; it can also work wonders for your skin and hair. 

Benefits for Besan for Skin

Besan's exfoliating properties remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, preventing acne and blemishes. It also contains zinc, which aids in controlling oil production, making it suitable for individuals with oily skin.

Recipes and Applications For Skin

One popular application is the besan face mask.

To prepare a besan face mask, mix besan flour with water or yogurt to form a thick paste. Apply it to your face, allow it to dry, and then gently rinse it off. This natural remedy can help improve skin texture, reduce acne, and promote a healthy glow.

Benefits of Besan for Hair

Besan flour can also revitalize your hair, leaving it shiny and healthy.

Hair Mask Recipe

To create a hair mask, blend besan flour with water, yogurt, or egg to form a smooth paste. Apply it to your hair and scalp, leave it on for 30 minutes, and then wash it off. This treatment can help reduce dandruff and promote hair growth.

Besan's protein content nourishes hair follicles, while its anti-inflammatory properties soothe the scalp, reducing itchiness and irritation.

Besan Flour in Gluten-Free and Vegan Diets

Besan flour is a boon for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity

Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity require strict gluten avoidance. Besan flour, being naturally gluten-free, provides a safe alternative for creating delicious gluten-free dishes.

Gluten-Free Recipes with Besan

From gluten-free pancakes to pizza crust, besan flour opens up a world of culinary possibilities for those following a gluten-free lifestyle.

6 Delicious Recipes with Besan

Here are six different recipes with besan (gram flour) in various ways:

1. Recipe for Besan Chilla (Gram Flour Pancakes)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup besan (gram flour)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onions
• 1/2 cup finely chopped tomatoes
• 1/4 cup chopped spinach or cilantro
• 1 green chili, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• Water as needed
• Oil for cooking

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine besan, chopped onions, tomatoes, spinach or cilantro, green chili, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, and salt.
2. Gradually add water and mix until you get a smooth batter with a pouring consistency.
3. Heat a non-stick pan and lightly grease it with oil.
4. Pour a ladleful of batter onto the pan and spread it into a thin pancake.
5. Cook on medium heat until the bottom turns golden brown, then flip and cook the other side.
6. Serve hot with green chutney or yogurt.

2. Besan Ladoo Recipe (Chickpea Flour Sweet Balls)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Organic Besan Flour (gram flour)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup ghee (clarified butter)
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
• Chopped nuts for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat ghee in a pan and add besan. Roast it on low heat, stirring continuously, until it turns aromatic and slightly changes color. It can take about 15-20 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
3. Add powdered sugar and cardamom powder to the roasted besan and mix well.
4. Take small portions of the mixture and shape them into round ladoos.
5. Garnish with chopped nuts if desired.
6. Allow them to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container.

3. Besan Kadhi (Yogurt-Based Curry)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup besan (gram flour)
• 2 cups yogurt
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
• 2-3 dried red chilies
• Curry leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Whisk besan, yogurt, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt until smooth.
2. Heat oil in a pan; add cumin seeds, mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, and dried red chilies. Sauté until they splutter.
3. Pour the besan-yogurt mixture and stir continuously on low heat until it thickens.
4. Add water as needed to achieve the desired consistency.
5. Garnish with curry leaves and serve hot with steamed rice.

4. Besan Burfi Recipe (Chickpea Flour Fudge)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup besan (gram flour)
• 1/2 cup ghee (clarified butter)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
• Chopped nuts for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat ghee in a pan and add besan. Roast it on low heat, stirring continuously, until it turns aromatic and slightly changes color. It can take about 15-20 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
3. Add powdered sugar and cardamom powder to the roasted besan and mix well.
4. Transfer the mixture to a greased plate and flatten it evenly.
5. Garnish with chopped nuts if desired.
6. Allow it to cool, then cut into square or diamond-shaped pieces.

5. Besan Dhokla (Steamed Chickpea Flour Cake)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup besan (gram flour)
• 1/4 cup semolina (sooji)
• 1/2 cup yogurt
• 1 teaspoon ginger-green chili paste
• 1 teaspoon Eno fruit salt (or baking soda)
• Salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds
• Chopped cilantro leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix besan flour, semolina, yogurt, ginger-green chili paste, and salt to make a smooth batter. Let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
2. Grease a steaming tray or plate.
3. Add Eno fruit salt to the batter and mix well. The batter will become frothy.
4. Pour the batter into the greased tray and steam for 15-20 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
5. Heat oil in a small pan, add mustard seeds and sesame seeds. Once they splutter, remove from heat.
6. Pour the tempering over the steamed dhokla and garnish with chopped cilantro.
7. Cut into pieces and serve with green chutney.

6. Besan Halwa (Chickpea Flour Dessert)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup besan (gram flour)
• 1/2 cup ghee (clarified butter)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
• Chopped nuts for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat ghee in a pan and add besan. Roast it on low heat, stirring continuously, until it turns aromatic and slightly changes color. It can take about 15-20 minutes.
2. In another pan, combine sugar and water and simmer until it forms a syrup of one-string consistency.
3. Pour the sugar syrup into the roasted besan and mix well. Cook for a few more minutes until the mixture thickens.
4. Add cardamom powder and mix.
5. Garnish with chopped nuts if desired.
6. Serve warm.

Summing It Up

Besan, or gram flour, isn't just an ordinary ingredient; it's a nutritional powerhouse that offers a myriad of advantages for your health, beauty, and culinary adventures.

From its rich protein content, which aids in weight management and blood sugar control, to its role as a gluten-free and vegan alternative in diets, besan flour has proven its worth as a versatile and nutritious staple. Whether you're whipping up savory chillas, sweet ladoos, or creamy kadhi, besan's adaptability in both traditional Indian and international cuisines is simply unmatched.

Moreover, besan flour isn't confined to the kitchen alone. Its application as a natural beauty remedy for skin and hair further highlights its significance in our daily lives.

If you want to buy the healthiest and flavorful Besan for your home, then Organic Zing’s Besan is the best for you. Our Besan Flour is 100% organic, USDA-certified, and pesticide-free. It does not contain any artificial flavor, preservatives, or additives. Bring authentic taste and health at your home by choosing Organic Zing.