Almost every Indian kitchen has a dabba of chana besan on the shelf. It turns into crisp pakoras on a rainy evening, a pot of kadhi for Sunday lunch and laddoos at Diwali. In this guide we explain what chana besan is, how it is different from other kinds of besan, how to choose good besan, the many ways to use it, how to store it, and how to buy it from Nath Mills, a chakki flour mill in Tanda, Ambedkar Nagar.
What is chana besan?
Chana besan is a flour made by grinding chana, which is chickpea or Bengal gram. In English it is called gram flour or chickpea flour. Its colour is pale yellow and it has a mild, nutty smell.
At Nath Mills, our Chana Besan is ground on the chakki at our mill in Rampur Kalan, Tanda. The only ingredient is chickpeas (chana), and we add no preservatives. The texture is smooth, which helps when you want a batter without lumps.
Besan vs chana besan: is there a difference?
In most homes in North India, when someone says “besan” they mean chana besan. But the word besan can also be used for flour made from other pulses. For example, we also make Matar Besan, which is ground from peas (matar). Both are used for cheela, pakoras and snacks. Chana besan is the classic choice for kadhi, laddoos and dhokla. When a recipe simply says “besan”, it usually means chana besan.
How to choose good besan
Whether you buy from a kirana shop, online or straight from a mill, these checks help you pick good besan:
- Read the ingredients. Plain chana besan should list only chickpeas (chana).
- Check the dates. Look at the packed-on and best-before dates on the pack.
- Look at the colour. Good besan has an even pale-yellow colour, without dark specks or grey patches.
- Smell it. It should smell mild and nutty. A bitter, sour or musty smell is a sign of old flour.
- Feel the texture. Rub a pinch between your fingers. It should feel soft and dry, not damp or lumpy.
- Pick the right size. Besan with no added preservatives is best used in a reasonable time, so buy a pack you will finish comfortably.
Everyday ways to use chana besan
Besan is one of the most useful flours in Indian cooking. Here are the dishes most families make with it.
Pakoras and bhajiyas
Make a thick batter with besan, water, salt, ajwain and chilli. Dip slices of onion, potato, paneer or palak leaves and deep fry. A small tip from our product page: adding 2–3 tablespoons of Chawal Ka Aata per cup of besan gives extra crispness.
Kadhi
Whisk besan into curd and water, then simmer it with turmeric and salt. Finish with a tadka of jeera and dry red chilli. Add pakoras if you like kadhi pakora.
Besan cheela
Mix besan with water, chopped onion, tomato, green chilli and coriander. Spread the batter thin on a hot tawa and cook both sides. It makes a quick breakfast or tiffin.
Besan laddoo
Roast besan slowly in ghee until it turns golden and smells fragrant. Let it cool a little, mix in powdered sugar and shape into laddoos.
Other dishes
Besan is also used for dhokla, gatte ki sabzi, besan ki roti and as a binder in kofta and tikki. Many families also mix a little besan into wheat atta for missi roti. You can read more about wheat atta in our chakki atta guide.
How to store besan at home
Besan can pick up moisture and insects if it is not stored well. Follow the advice printed on our pack:
- Store in a cool, dry and hygienic place, away from direct sunlight.
- After opening, move the besan to an airtight container.
- Always use a dry spoon. Even a few drops of water can spoil the flour.
- Do not keep the dabba next to the stove or a steamy sink.
- Finish the old besan before pouring in a new pack.
Signs your besan has gone stale
- A bitter or rancid smell when you open the container
- Lumps that do not break easily
- Tiny insects or webbing
- Pakoras or cheela that taste flat or bitter
If you notice any of these, it is better not to use that flour.
Buy chana besan from Nath Mills, Tanda
Our Chana Besan comes in four pack sizes. These are the prices listed on nathmills.in:
| Pack size | Price | MRP |
|---|---|---|
| 500 g | ₹60 | ₹70 |
| 1 kg | ₹110 | ₹140 |
| 2 kg | ₹210 | ₹280 |
| 5 kg | ₹580 | ₹700 |
You can order in three ways:
- Online: choose your pack size on the product page and click Add to cart.
- Call or WhatsApp: +91 95111 45377 or +91 73985 16177. Send the product name and pack size.
- Visit the mill: Nath Mills, 129, Rampur Kalan, Tanda, Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh 224190.
Shops, caterers and sweet makers who need larger quantities can call or WhatsApp us for a bulk quote. If you want your own chana ground, you can also use our grain grinding service at the mill.
Frequently asked questions
What is chana besan made from?
Chana besan is made by grinding chana (chickpeas). Nath Mills Chana Besan lists only chickpeas as its ingredient.
Are besan and chana besan the same?
Usually, yes. In most recipes “besan” means chana besan. Besan can also be made from other pulses, such as matar besan from peas.
How should I store besan?
Keep it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, and always use a dry spoon.
What pack sizes does Nath Mills offer?
Chana Besan comes in 500 g (₹60), 1 kg (₹110), 2 kg (₹210) and 5 kg (₹580) packs on nathmills.in.
Can I buy besan in bulk?
Yes. Call or WhatsApp +91 95111 45377 or +91 73985 16177 for a bulk quote.