Salteen Ingredient Knowledge Base

Besan (Chickpea Flour)

बेसन

बेसन — बनारसी नमकीन की रीढ़। The flour that fries crispy, binds beautifully, and feeds generations.

Year-Round UP Sourced Stone-Ground Gluten-Free

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Hindi Name

बेसन

Type

Grain

Origin

Varanasi, UP

Season

Year-Round

Taste

Earthy and Nutty

बेसन — Salteen की नमकीन का दिल। Stone-ground chickpea flour — the backbone of everything we fry.

If mustard oil is the foundation of our pickles, then besan is the foundation of our namkeen. Virtually every savoury snack in our range — from aloo bhujia to Ratlami sev to our boondi mixes — begins with besan.

At Salteen, we use stone-ground besan from UP chickpeas — not the fine, commercial variety that has lost its characteristic earthiness, but a slightly coarser grind that holds texture when fried and carries the nutty, chickpea flavour that makes our namkeen taste distinctly homemade.

Besan is also the base of our besan laddus — a recipe our mother made by slowly roasting the flour in ghee until it turns golden and fragrant, then binding it with powdered jaggery and cardamom. This is one of the most labour-intensive preparations we make — and the most rewarding.

Good besan sev requires three things: quality besan, good oil, and patience. There are no shortcuts in our namkeen kitchen.

— Salteen, Varanasi Operations

Taste Profile

The Flavour of Besan (Chickpea Flour)

Nuttiness

7.5/10

Earthiness

7/10

Savouriness

6.5/10

Bitterness (raw)

4/10

Why It Matters

Health Benefits

Besan is a nutritional powerhouse — high in protein, low in glycaemic index, rich in fibre and key minerals. It is one of the most complete plant-based foods available in the Indian pantry.

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High Protein

One of the richest plant-based protein sources — essential for vegetarian diets and muscle health.

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Iron & Folate

Besan is rich in both iron and folate — particularly important for women's health and during pregnancy.

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Low Glycaemic

Chickpea flour causes a slow, steady rise in blood sugar compared to wheat flour — making it diabetes-friendly.

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Gluten-Free

Naturally gluten-free — making besan-based Salteen namkeen suitable for those with gluten sensitivity.

Note: The above reflects traditional and general nutritional knowledge. Consult a healthcare professional for personal dietary advice.

Farm to Jar

Where It Comes From

🌾 UP Chickpea — Stone-Ground Besan

We source our besan from stone-grinding units in the Varanasi region that grind whole chickpeas (chana) into flour fresh. This gives us a slightly coarser, more flavourful besan than commercially processed varieties — essential for namkeen that actually tastes like it was made at home.

In Your Salteen Kitchen

Used In

Besan is the primary ingredient in Salteen's sev, aloo bhujia, and boondi-style namkeen. It also forms the base of our traditional besan laddu — one of our most labour-intensive and beloved sweet preparations.

Ratlami Sev Aloo Bhujia Boondi Mix Besan Laddu Namkeen Mixes