Chickpeas are a white, round legume with a slightly crunchy texture and nutty flavour. A popular staple in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine, they're popularly used as a base for dips and hummus or added to fragrant curries. Generally, dried beans are slightly more cost effective than the canned variety, but they don't come ready to eat. It's really up to personal preference when it comes to choosing between the two.