Rinse the chickpeas thoroughly under cold water
Sort and remove any damaged chickpeas or debris
Soak dried chickpeas in plenty of water for 8 to 12 hours
Drain and rinse the soaked chickpeas
Place chickpeas in a pot and cover with fresh water
Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer
Cook until tender, about 1 to 2 hours
Add salt near the end of cooking if desired
Drain the cooked chickpeas
Use immediately or store in the refrigerator or freezer