Gram flour, also known as garbanzo bean flour, or besan (بيسن in Urdu), is a pulse flour made from ground chickpeas known in a number of Asian countries as gram. It is a staple ingredient in Indian, Pakistani, Nepali and Bangladeshi cuisines. Gram flour can be made from either raw or roasted gram beans. The roasted variety is more flavorful, while the raw variety has a slightly bitter taste. Gram flour contains a high proportion of carbohydrates, no gluten, and a higher proportion of protein than other flours.