The chickpea or chick pea (Cicer arietinum) is a legume of the family Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae. It is one of the earliest cultivated legumes: 7,500-year-old remains have been found in the Middle East. 

Types: ·         

Desi, which has small, darker seeds and a rough coat, cultivated mostly in India and much of the Indian Subcontinent, as well as Ethiopia, Mexico, and Iran. ·       

Bombay, which is also dark in colour but slightly larger in size than the Desi variety. They too are popular in the Indian Subcontinent. ·         

Kabuli, associated with Kabul in Afghanistan. These are lighter coloured, with larger seeds and a smoother coat, mainly grown in Southern Europe, Northern Africa, South America and Indian Subcontinent, having been introduced during the 18th century to India.