What Does Hummus Taste Like?

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From curry and poutine to kimchi and sushi, plenty of traditional foods from around the globe have broken cultural barriers to become global hits, including the middle eastern delicacy —  Hummus.

A popular dip made from blended chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic, you have probably seen hummus being served with pita bread or a side of chips and raw vegetables in the middle-eastern restaurants. 

But if you are someone who has never tried it yet, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about.

So what does hummus taste like, anyway? Well, it’s sort of different for everyone! While some say it has an earthy or nutty flavor, others claim it’s more tangy and lemony. What’s more, some people even say it tastes a little like the popular American staple food, peanut butter.

So which is it? Keep reading ahead as we crack the mystery of what hummus tastes like?

Related: How long does hummus last?

What is hummus?

Hummus is the United States' new favorite. People are going ga-ga over a dip they thought to be alien at first, but they are hooked to it once they try it. 

Coming from the Middle Eastern land, Hummus is a dip with a creamy texture and an unmatchable flavor profile.

The once ignored garbanzo beans that we all generally know as chickpeas are the star ingredient of this iconic dip. 

The main ingredient, chickpeas, is combined with ingredients like garlic, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, and additional flavors yield a saucy, rich hummus. It goes exceptionally well with toasted pita bread, tortilla chips, and other snacking options. 

And the best part? Hummus is one of the most versatile dips you'll ever have. Subtle yet flavorful, creamy yet low-fat. Hummus is the authentic blend of flavors, versatility and a food option loaded with nutritious goodness. 

What does hummus taste like?

The plain Hummus you see being sold on the superstore shelves doesn't have an overpowering taste. 

Hummus tastes mild, subtle, and a bit tangy with a nutty aftertaste of chickpeas. If you are having Hummus for the first time, expect a dip consistent with a creamy spread or mayonnaise.

The taste, however, is entirely different from both the dips, as mentioned earlier. If you think that Hummus will taste like boiled chickpeas, you're wrong. 

In fact, you can't even identify the dip to have chickpeas if you don't know the basic recipe. Instead, expect a gooey, garlicky, and savory flavor that will entice you for the rest of your life. 

Besides the plain Hummus, you can find numerous other varieties in the nearby grocery store. You can have sun-dried tomato hummus, which is more tart than the regular Hummus. 

Another variant for spice lovers is red pepper Hummus which has a spicy kick from the blending of red peppers with chickpeas. 

Yet another variety you may encounter is a chocolate Hummus which suits people with a sweet tooth. However, there's a debate over the variant's nutrition profile, so weight watchers must check labels before indulging in such varieties. 

Where does hummus come from?

Hummus has an intertwined origin. Nobody knows precisely where it comes from.

While there is no definite evidence about the origin of Hummus, maybe it belongs to Arabs because the word Hummus literally means 'Chickpeas' in Arabic. 

The Egyptians, too, have a valid point. They take references from their thirteenth-century cookbooks that mention a dip made of chickpeas with tahini. 

You can find many Arabic-Israeli restaurants preparing warm Hummus and varieties like Hummus with fried eggplants. 

No matter where Hummus comes from, it is a delicious dip. We cannot argue over the origin with a mouthful of pita dipped in Hummus, so keep enjoying the gooey goodness instead of pondering over its origin. 

How to make homemade hummus

Making your own hummus at home is easy with a few simple ingredients.

1. Drain 1 can of chickpeas. Place them in a food processor or blender. Add ¼ cup of tahini, ¼ cup of lemon juice, 1 clove of garlic, and ⅛ teaspoon of salt. Blend until the mixture becomes smooth.
2. To serve, top with ½-1 tablespoon of olive oil.
3. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

What to eat with hummus

Hummus doesn't have an over-empowering taste, so you can have it in many ways. Hummus enthusiasts would love to eat it with a spoon. However, there are many other ways to consume the savory, yummy dip. 

Crackers or Toast

Try your next batch of crackers with a garlicky, lemony bowl of Hummus, and you will never go back to eating crackers alone. The crunch of the crackers and the richness of Hummus make an absolutely divine combination. 

Even if you don't have crackers, toast some bread and dip it into a Hummus bowl. Enjoy your snack without worrying about the world. 

Chips

Hummus and crunch are two well-complimenting textures. Hummus being pasty gives you a mouthful of a flavorful blast. If you dip chips like tortilla chips, pita chips, or corn chips into that pasty dip, you're adding the epitome of crunch to the peak of richness. 

Chips and Hummus can never go wrong. In fact, Pretzels and Hummus are other unmatchable snacking options. Try these ideas once, and you’ll thank us forever. 

Vegetables

Eating Hummus with vegetables settles down the munching cravings so well that you will leave unhealthy snacking. 

Pick fresh veggies like brussels sprouts, cherry tomatoes, carrots, radishes, turnip, or even bell pepper. Cut them and dip them into any flavored hummus you have, and munch. We bet that you will forget your evening bag of potato chips after that.

Fruit

If you love adding a bit of sweetness to your snacks, Hummus and fruits make the ideal combo.

Cut fruits such as apples, avocados, or pears and dunk them into a Hummus bowl to eat a refreshing snack. 

What more? You can satisfy your sweet tooth by plunging some strawberries into store-bought or homemade chocolate hummus. The choices are endless and all delicious. 

Is hummus healthy?

Hummus is a nutrient-dense dip with many health benefits. It fits all the standards of being a healthy food. By consuming Hummus, you have plant-based fiber and proteins from the main ingredient—Chickpeas.

Additionally, you are taking polyunsaturated fats from the olive oil you add as a garnish. Tahini, too, has omega-6 fatty acids, which help lower the cholesterol down.

Lemon juice is an excellent source of vitamin C, so all you're having in the form of Hummus is nutrient-packed ingredients. 

Moreover, Hummus has a low glycemic index which means that it doesn't give a sugar spike to your body, unlike some unhealthy snacks. The low glycemic index of Hummus helps your body maintain its blood sugar level.

Fun hummus facts

Here are a few little-known fun facts surrounding this middle-eastern delicacy:

• Lebanon holds the world record for the most oversized plate of Hummus, which weighed 10,452 kgs of Hummus. 
• A Canadian couple rescued a swimming pool full of Hummus from a commercial dumpster and survived on it for eight weeks.
• The world has celebrated International Hummus day on May 13th every year for the past decade.
• Hummus has gained so much popularity in the US that some tobacco farmers switched to planting chickpeas crops. 

The verdict

Although having a confusing origin, Hummus has gained immense popularity in the Western World after the Middle East. The earthy flavor combination of chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon, and olive oil-based dip is so versatile that you can make numerous snacking combos. 

Moreover, all the ingredients of Hummus are healthy, so you don't need to worry about your health while indulging in the rich, creamy dip.

So, give it a try next time you’re looking for something healthy yet delicious to eat!

📖 Recipe