Is It Important to Get Organic Chickpeas?

January 1, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), tests have found traces of the herbicide glyphosate in many conventional chickpea and hummus samples, raising consumer concern about whether it is important to get organic chickpeas to reduce exposure. This finding highlights a key difference between organic and conventional farming practices and what ends up on your plate.

Quick Summary

The decision to buy organic or conventional chickpeas balances minimizing pesticide exposure, supporting environmental practices, and managing cost, as their core nutritional benefits are largely similar.

Key Points

Pesticide Residue: Organic chickpeas are grown without synthetic pesticides, specifically avoiding the use of glyphosate, a common herbicide found in many conventional samples.
Nutritional Equality: There is no significant nutritional difference between organic and conventional chickpeas; both are excellent sources of plant-based protein and fiber.
Environmental Benefits: Choosing organic supports farming methods that improve soil health, conserve water, and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers and chemicals.
Cost vs. Conscience: Organic chickpeas typically cost more than conventional ones, so the decision often involves balancing personal budget with minimizing pesticide exposure and supporting sustainable agriculture.
Rinse Canned Chickpeas: Regardless of the type, rinsing canned chickpeas thoroughly can reduce sodium content and potentially remove some surface residues.

Understanding the Organic vs. Conventional Divide

When you stand in the grocery aisle, the choice between a bag of conventional garbanzo beans and a pricier organic option can be confusing. The core of this decision rests on several factors beyond basic nutrition, including farming methods, chemical residues, and environmental philosophy. While both are nutrient-dense legumes packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins, the process by which they are grown differs significantly.

The Pesticide and Herbicide Question

The most significant concern for many shoppers is chemical residue. Conventional chickpea farming often relies on synthetic pesticides and herbicides, most notably glyphosate, a common weedkiller. Glyphosate is sometimes used as a pre-harvest drying agent on conventionally grown crops, which can lead to higher levels of residue on the final product. Organic farming standards, however, strictly prohibit the use of synthetic herbicides like glyphosate. An EWG-commissioned study found that while the majority of conventional samples contained glyphosate, organic versions had either non-detectable or significantly lower levels, likely due to environmental cross-contamination. This distinction is often the primary motivator for consumers choosing organic chickpeas.

Nutritional Value: Is There a Difference?

For many legumes, the nutritional content between organic and conventional varieties is quite similar. Chickpeas are no exception. They are an excellent source of plant-based protein, dietary fiber, and essential minerals like iron, magnesium, and folate, regardless of how they are grown. Some studies have suggested marginal differences in certain nutrients or antioxidants, but these variations are not considered nutritionally significant for the average diet. The robust nutritional profile of chickpeas, promoting good digestion, weight management, and heart health, remains consistent across both farming types. Therefore, if nutrition alone is your main concern, either option will provide substantial health benefits.

Environmental Impact of Farming Methods

The environmental consequences of organic versus conventional farming are another crucial consideration. Organic farming practices are inherently more sustainable and eco-friendly. They prioritize soil health, minimize the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides that can pollute waterways, and promote biodiversity. Chickpeas naturally contribute to soil health by fixing nitrogen, which reduces the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. By choosing organic, consumers support a system that favors crop rotation, natural pest management, and conservation, which in turn reduces the carbon footprint and supports a healthier ecosystem. Conventional farming, while efficient, can lead to soil erosion and degradation over time due to intense tillage and the reliance on chemical inputs.

Cost and Accessibility

One of the most practical factors influencing the decision is cost. Organic chickpeas are almost always more expensive than their conventional counterparts. This higher price point reflects the increased labor, more complex farming methods, and lower yields often associated with organic agriculture. For budget-conscious shoppers, the cost difference can be a dealbreaker. Additionally, conventional chickpeas are more widely available in a variety of products, from canned to dried, and in a wider range of stores. Organic options, while increasingly common, may still be harder to find, especially in smaller grocery stores or certain regions.

Comparison: Organic vs. Conventional Chickpeas


Feature	Organic Chickpeas	Conventional Chickpeas
Farming Method	Uses natural pesticides, crop rotation, and composting.	Relies on synthetic pesticides, herbicides (e.g., glyphosate), and fertilizers.
Glyphosate Residue	Levels are typically non-detectable or very low due to cross-contamination.	Often contains detectable levels of glyphosate residue, sometimes from pre-harvest use.
Nutritional Profile	Excellent source of protein, fiber, and minerals.	Excellent source of protein, fiber, and minerals, comparable to organic.
Environmental Impact	Supports soil health, biodiversity, and sustainable practices. Lower carbon footprint.	Can contribute to soil degradation, water pollution, and higher carbon emissions from synthetic inputs.
Cost	Generally more expensive due to certification and farming practices.	Typically more affordable and budget-friendly.
Accessibility	Widely available but less common than conventional options.	Very widely available in all forms (canned, dried, etc.).

Making the Right Choice for You

Ultimately, whether organic chickpeas are the right choice for you depends on your personal priorities. The decision isn't just about nutrition, but about balancing cost, personal health concerns, and environmental values. Here are some questions to consider:

Are you concerned about pesticides? If minimizing your exposure to synthetic chemicals like glyphosate is a top priority, then organic chickpeas are the clear choice.
Is your budget a major factor? If so, conventional chickpeas are a perfectly healthy and cost-effective option. Rinsing canned chickpeas thoroughly can also help reduce sodium and potentially wash away some residues.
Do you want to support sustainable farming? Choosing organic is a vote for farming practices that are better for the soil, water, and wider ecosystem.
How do you plan to use them? For simple preparations, the difference in taste or texture is minimal. For applications where purity is a priority, such as baby food, organic might be preferred.

Conclusion: A Balanced Perspective

So, is it important to get organic chickpeas? The importance is relative to what matters most to you. From a pure nutritional standpoint, both organic and conventional chickpeas offer a powerhouse of protein and fiber. The primary trade-off is between the potential exposure to synthetic chemicals in conventional crops versus the higher cost and potentially lower accessibility of organic. By understanding these differences, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your health goals, budget, and environmental conscience. Both options provide a delicious and healthy addition to any diet, but organic offers an added layer of peace of mind regarding farming practices and pesticide reduction.

For more information on pesticide levels in common foods, including chickpeas, consult the research conducted by the non-profit organization Environmental Working Group.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference is the farming method. Organic chickpeas are grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers, while conventional methods use these chemical inputs, which can leave trace residues on the final product.

Not significantly. While minor variations might exist, the core nutritional profile—including protein, fiber, and minerals—is comparable between organic and conventional chickpeas.

Regulators determine the safety of conventional produce, but studies have shown detectable levels of herbicides like glyphosate. For those who want to minimize exposure, organic is the safer option, though rinsing conventional beans can help.

Organic farming requires more labor-intensive methods, has potentially lower yields, and involves expensive certification processes. These factors lead to a higher price point for organic produce.

Choosing organic supports sustainable practices like soil-enriching crop rotation and reduced chemical runoff, which benefits local ecosystems and biodiversity. Chickpeas themselves are already a sustainable crop due to their nitrogen-fixing properties.

Organic certification ensures that synthetic pesticides are not intentionally used. However, environmental cross-contamination from nearby conventional farms can lead to very low-level traces of chemicals, though these are typically much lower than in conventional varieties.

Yes, it is always a good practice to rinse canned chickpeas to reduce their sodium content. For conventional chickpeas, this process may also help remove some surface chemical residues.

Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide. Concerns about its presence in foods like chickpeas stem from potential health implications and environmental impacts. Organic farming methods completely avoid its use.