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National Chickpea Day

Food ยท April 21

A food day for the chickpea, the round, nutty legume behind hummus, falafel, chana masala and a good many pantry shelves.

National Chickpea Day

National Chickpea Day falls on Wednesday, April 21, 2027. That is 176 days away.

The chickpea is a legume, a round, beige seed with a little beak at one end, which is where its other common name, garbanzo bean, sometimes gets swapped in on grocery labels. Both names point to the same bean.

Cooked chickpeas are firm, creamy inside and mildly nutty. They hold their shape in soups and stews, turn smooth when blended, and crisp up nicely in a hot oven. That range explains why they show up in so many cuisines. Hummus blends them with tahini, lemon and garlic. Falafel shapes them into fried patties. Chana masala simmers them in a spiced tomato sauce. Ground into flour, they become the base of flatbreads and batters.

Most people meet chickpeas in a can, already cooked and ready after a rinse. Dried chickpeas take more patience. They are usually soaked for several hours and then simmered until tender, and the reward is a softer, richer bean. The cloudy liquid from a can, called aquafaba, can be whipped into a foam and used in place of egg whites in some recipes.

Roasting is an easy place to start. Drain and dry the chickpeas well, toss them with oil and salt, and bake until they rattle on the pan. A dusting of smoked paprika or cumin afterward goes a long way. They stay crunchiest the day they are made, so small batches work best.

Ways to celebrate

Dates

YearDate
2026Tuesday, April 21
2027Wednesday, April 21
2028Friday, April 21
2029Saturday, April 21
2030Sunday, April 21

All national days on April 21

Also on April 21

Categories: Food days