Salteen Ingredient Knowledge Base

Chana Dal (Split Bengal Gram)

चना दाल

चना दाल — कुरकुरी, सुनहरी, बेहद लज़ीज़। Golden fried chana dal — crispy, earthy, and deeply satisfying.

Year-Round UP Sourced High Protein Classic Dal Namkeen

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Hindi Name

चना दाल

Type

Legume

Origin

Varanasi, UP

Season

Year-Round

Taste

Earthy and Nutty

चना दाल — नमकीन का सबसे पुराना रूप। Golden fried split Bengal gram — the most traditional of all Banarasi dal namkeen.

Chana dal namkeen is one of the oldest snack preparations in North India — simple, nutritious, deeply satisfying. Split Bengal gram, soaked overnight, drained, dried, and fried in groundnut oil until golden and crispy, then tossed with salt, chilli, and amchur. This is namkeen in its most honest, traditional form.

At Salteen, our chana dal namkeen uses UP-grown split Bengal gram — a slightly thicker, more flavourful dal than commercial varieties. Soaked for precisely the right time — too short and it won't fry evenly; too long and it bursts in the oil — it is fried in small batches for consistent golden colour throughout.

Chana dal is also the primary raw material from which besan is made — grinding the dried split dal produces the chickpea flour that is the backbone of our entire sev and bhujia range.

Chana dal namkeen does not need explanation. It is simply perfect — crispy, slightly earthy, salty, with a hint of chilli. Timeless.

— Salteen, Banaras Ka Swad

Taste Profile

The Flavour of Chana Dal (Split Bengal Gram)

Crunchiness

9/10

Earthiness

7.5/10

Nuttiness

7/10

Savouriness

7.5/10

Why It Matters

Health Benefits

Split Bengal gram is one of the most nutritionally complete legumes — high in protein, fibre, and essential minerals.

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High Protein

Among the highest protein content of any commonly eaten legume — essential for vegetarian diets and muscle maintenance.

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Low Glycaemic

One of the lowest glycaemic index legumes — providing steady energy without blood sugar spikes.

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Digestive Fibre

High soluble fibre content supports gut health, healthy cholesterol, and stable blood sugar.

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Iron & Folate

Rich in both iron and folate — particularly important for women's nutritional needs.

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 Bengal Gram Farms

Split Bengal gram is grown across UP as part of the rabi (winter) crop cycle. We source from farmers in the Varanasi and Kanpur belt, selecting dal that is uniformly sized, bright golden in colour, and free from damaged seeds — consistency in size is critical for even frying in our namkeen production.

In Your Salteen Kitchen

Used In

Chana dal is the primary ingredient in Salteen's chana dal namkeen — a classic golden-fried preparation. It is also the raw material for our besan production.

Chana Dal Namkeen Dal Mixes Besan Production