They are practical, economical and always ready for use. Canned chickpeas represent a convenient solution for those who want to bring legumes to the table without having to deal with soaking and cooking times. But even among the products on supermarket shelves there are significant differences, especially when it comes to texture, flavor and overall quality.
To identify the most successful packages, Gambero Rosso organized a blind tasting which involved 24 products belonging to the most popular brands in large-scale retail trade. At the end of the tests, only 12 achieved a place in the final ranking. Among these, we have selected the first five, which stand out for their organoleptic characteristics and the quality perceived during tasting. Prices show considerable differences: they start from 49 cents and reach several euros per pack.
Before discovering the results, it is worth remembering why chickpeas occupy an important place in our diet. They are a source of vegetable proteins and are suitable for numerous preparations: from soups to salads, including hummus, vegetable meatballs, creams and first courses.
The already cooked packages offer a clear advantage: just open them to have a ready ingredient available, without the need for soaking or long waits at the stove. An appreciable convenience especially when you have little time available or you want to keep a supply of legumes in the pantry to use when necessary.
Quality, however, is not the same for everyone. Several elements make the difference: the consistency of the chickpeas, the thickness of the peel, the level of flavor, the aromatic profile and even the appearance of the preservation liquid. The Gambero Rosso test focused precisely on these characteristics.
The ranking of the 5 best canned chickpeas
Here are the five products that obtained the best ratings in the Gambero Rosso tasting, from first to fifth place.
1. Alce Nero – Organic chickpeas – 2.49 euros for 300 g
In first place are Alce Nero organic chickpeas, appreciated for their regular appearance and particularly successful consistency. Legumes are small, crunchy and uniform, with intact skin. The governing liquid also convinces with its clarity. Fresh vegetal aromas are initially noticeable on the nose, followed by hints of cereal and dried fruit. Cooking is homogeneous and the chickpeas maintain a compact structure even when chewed. The taste profile also features pleasant hints of chestnut and fresh hazelnut.
2. Libera Terra Mediterraneo – Chickpeas, the taste of legumes – 2.05 euros for 300 g
Second position goes to Libera Terra Mediterraneo chickpeas, small in size and characterized by an aromatic profile that recalls cereals, vegetal notes and herbs. The flavor is moderate and is felt especially in the central part of the tasting. The finish returns hints of fresh hazelnut, while in terms of consistency, a good crunchiness and a compact structure emerge. The brand also deserves a brief clarification for the history that accompanies it, given that Libera Terra brings together social cooperatives that cultivate and recover agricultural land stolen from organized crime through confiscations provided for by law. The objective is to return these assets to the community, transforming them into productive activities capable of creating employment, local development and an economy based on legality.
3. Bonduelle Italia – Legumeria Chickpeas – 1.29 euros for 310 g
Bronze medal for Bonduelle chickpeas from the Legumeria line. The preservation liquid appears slightly more gelled than that of other products: a characteristic that tasters attribute to the amount of starch released by the legumes during cooking. A detail that does not, however, compromise the excellent overall rating. Chickpeas are medium in size and release fresh vegetal aromas, accompanied by cereal notes. On the palate they are distinguished by a good creaminess, a thin skin and a structure considered excellent. The flavor remains balanced and the taste leaves a pleasant reminder of sweet chestnut on the finish.
4. Sarchio – Organic chickpeas – 2.67 euros for 350 g
In fourth place we find Sarchio organic chickpeas, recognizable from their appearance due to their light beige color and rather uniform dimensions. The aromatic profile is delicate and has vegetal and cereal hints. During the tasting, a pleasant sweetness emerges, which also remains in the finish. The flavor is contained and the cooking is uniform, while the consistency is moderately creamy.
5. Carrefour Italia – Organic chickpeas – 0.99 euros for 400 g
Closing the top five is the organic Carrefour proposal, which also stands out for its particularly accessible price. The chickpeas have medium and fairly regular dimensions, while the preserving liquid has a light haze. On the nose, cereal notes prevail, while on the palate sweet nuances reminiscent of chestnut can be recognized. The consistency is creamy and the thin peel helps to make the tasting more pleasant. According to Gambero Rosso, these characteristics make them particularly suitable for the preparation of hummus.
How the Gambero Rosso ranking was created
The selection involved 24 packs of chickpeas, chosen from the brands most present in large-scale retail trade and subjected to a blind tasting. The panel in charge of the tests was made up of at least five experts, including catering professionals and sensory analysis specialists.
It is important to point out that the evaluation is not based on laboratory analyzes and parameters such as nutritional values, the amount of salt, the origin of the raw material, the possible presence of contaminants or the characteristics of the packaging were not taken into consideration. The judgment concerns exclusively the aspects that can be observed, smelled and perceived during a tasting. The Gambero Rosso method involves strictly blind tastings and a subsequent selection of the most deserving products.
To express the results, a recognition system is also used, the so-called “Gamberi”, which includes three levels: one, two or three Gamberi, corresponding respectively to the score bands 70-79, 80-89 and equal to or greater than 90 points.
What characteristics did the tasters look for?
The first parameter concerns the visual appearance. The chickpeas must be intact, with fairly uniform dimensions and without being mushy or reduced to mush. The preserving liquid is also carefully observed: ideally it should be clear or just clouded by starch, without appearing too cloudy or dense.
We then move on to the olfactory evaluation, which allows us to identify any vegetal aromas, hints of cereal and references to dried fruit.
During the actual tasting other fundamental elements come into play: consistency, degree of cooking, creaminess, thickness of the peel, flavor and aromatic persistence. A good quality chickpea should be compact but also creamy, with a thin skin that is pleasant on the palate.
Finally, great attention is paid to taste. Sweet and delicate notes are especially appreciated, while any metallic sensations or excessive and persistent flavor represent less positive aspects.
