The chickpea or chick pea is an annual legume of the family Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae. The chickpea is a key ingredient in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines, used in hummus, and, when ground into flour, falafel. It also is important in Indian cuisine, used in salads, soups and stews, and curries. Garbanzo beans or 'kabuli' chana are lighter-coloured, larger, and with a smoother coat.