If you are a purest and you have the time, you can use dried chickpeas that you properly prepared, taking care to remove the skins that float off. I personally don't have time so I shortcut as do most people who make hummus at home. Typically, in American grocery stores, garbanzo beans are found in the Mexican or ethnic food aisle of a major chain. This style of bean-based spread, or tapenade, can be made out of any fatty, bean like fava, cannellini, great northern, lima, butter beans, etc. It's fun to experiment and try different ones. Also, hummus can always be made with fun flavors like olives, roasted red peppers, and so on. I personally love to put hummus as a substitute for mayonnaise on turkey and Swiss cheese sandwiches.