Organic Dried Chickpeas 100g

Storage
Dried beans should ideally be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight. They are best used within 1 year of purchase. The longer beans are stored, the longer they take to cook. Stored correctly they remain safe to use beyond this time.

Portions
An average portion size of raw dried beans is 55g. Beans typically double in size when cooking.

Warning
Never eat raw or undercooked dried beans. All dried beans, but especially dried red kidney beans, contain a natural toxin called lectin which can cause severe stomach upset. This toxin is easily destroyed by thorough cooking. Slow cookers do not reach the required high temperature.

Cooking Instructions

1. Inspect the dry beans and discard any that are shrivelled. Check for foreign matter such as small stones.
   
   

2. Thoroughly rinse the beans under cold running water.

3. Soak the beans. Place them in a large bowl, fill with water (at least 5x the volume of the beans), cover and refrigerate for minimum 12 hours. The beans will double or triple in size during this process.

4. Drain and rinse the soaked beans.

5. Place the beans in a large pot, fully cover with fresh cold water and bring to the boil. Do not add salt at this stage as it will toughen the beans.

6. Boil vigorously for at least 10 minutes.

7. Reduce heat and simmer for 45 - 60 minutes until tender but firm. Ideally the skin should be intact, but the beans should mash easily. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and add more water to keep the beans covered.

8. Add seasoning towards the end of the cooking process to maximise flavour. Only add acidic ingredients such as tomatoes or lemon juice after cooking as they will prevent the beans from becoming tender.

9. Alternatively, to cook dried beans quickly, use a pressure cooker and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

10. After cooking, beans will keep for 2 days in a fridge, or 3 months in a freezer.

    Tip: You can reuse glass jars to freezer cooked, drained beans. Just make sure to leave about 2 ½ inches space at the top of the jar to allow for expansion when frozen. Make sure to cool the jars properly before freezing to avoid cracking.

Average pre-packaged size 500g