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Ever wondered to yourself, What Does hummus Taste Like? Well, look no further! We’ve got you covered with all the juicy details about hummus.
Hummus is a Middle Eastern dip made from chickpeas or garbanzo beans. It has become very popular across the globe. But what exactly does it taste like?
The word “hummus” comes from the Arabic word “hammas“. In the Levant region, it was traditionally made from fermented chickpea paste (garbanzo bean) mixed with olive oil and lemon juice. Today, it’s usually made with canned chickpeas and tahini sauce.
Some people have reported that it tastes like a cross between mashed potatoes and peanut butter, but it’s much more appetizing than that, and we have written this article to tell you just how wonderful the taste of hummus is.
What Is Hummus?
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Hummus is a traditional Middle Eastern dip made from ground chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans). The word “hummus” comes from the Arabic word “hammas”, which means “chickpeas”.
In the Levant region, hummus was traditionally made from fermented garbanzo bean paste mixed with olive oil and fresh lemon juice.
Today, most hummus recipes call for canned chickpeas and store-bought tahini sauce. Some recipes also include garlic, cumin, coriander, parsley, salt, and pepper.
In North America, hummus is often served in restaurants as an appetizer or side dish. In Israel, hummus is commonly eaten as part of mezze platters.
Where Does Hummus Come From?
Hummus is a delicious spread that has its origins in the Middle East. The word “hummus” means “chickpea” in Arabic. This tasty spread was first made by Arabs centuries ago.
They used to grind chickpeas (garbanzo beans) in stone mills and mix them with tahini and water. This mixture was then mashed and seasoned with lemon juice.
In the past, hummus was only eaten during Ramadan, but nowadays, people around the world love this delicious treat.
Today, hummus is available everywhere and can be found in supermarkets, health stores, restaurants, and even in fast-food chains.
The most popular type of hummus is the original one, which uses garbanzo beans as the main ingredient. Other types include white bean hummus, lentil hummus, and vegetable hummus.
How Does Hummus Taste?
Humans love eating foods that are rich in protein, carbohydrates, and fat. These three nutrients provide energy for our bodies. However, they also give us pleasure. We feel satisfied after consuming them.
When it comes to food, we tend to think about the nutritional value of the food itself because of this reason. But there are other factors involved when it comes to food, such as its appearance, smell, texture, and taste.
The first thing we notice when tasting something is the aroma. It may be sweet, sour, salty, spicy, bitter, or even savory.
Next, we look at the color. For example, if we see red, orange, yellow, or green, then we know it has high levels of vitamin C.
On the other hand, if we see blue, purple, pink, or brown, then we know it contains antioxidants.
We also focus on the texture. For instance, smooth textures are usually soft and creamy, while crunchy textures are hard and solid.
Finally, the most important thing is taste. Taste is one of the five senses that humans possess. When we taste food, we detect its chemical composition.
Our tongues contain thousands of taste buds that help us identify various tastes. And when it comes to hummus, the taste is wonderful.
Traditional hummus is a very smooth and creamy paste. It has a distinctive flavor and cannot be compared to other foods.
However, since there are now also so many flavors of hummus on the market today and so many countries make their versions of hummus, it will be impossible to define how hummus tastes.
On the other hand, it doesn’t have an overpowering taste of chickpeas, and it has been reported that those who hate chickpeas, can still enjoy hummus.
Traditional hummus has a very creamy, rich, and tangy taste because of the lemon mixed with the chickpeas and tahini and when you add your olive oil or extra spices, you can adjust the taste to your preference.
How Is Hummus Made?
There are many ways to make hummus. You can use your kitchen skills, or buy ready-made hummus from the store. If you want to try making your own, here’s what you need:
1 cup dried chickpeas
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
3 cloves of garlic
1/4 cup tahini
Juice of 1 large lemon
A few sprigs of fresh mint
A few sprigs of flat-leaf parsley
A pinch of black pepper
You will need a food processor or blender to blend all these ingredients. If you don’t have a food processor, you can mash the chickpeas manually using a fork.
If you want to serve hummus at room temperature, keep it covered in the fridge until serving time. Serve with your favorite bread or chips, or even cut up some dipping veggies, top with olive oil and a sprinkle of smoked paprika, and you’re good to go.
How To Eat Hummus
It can be served as an appetizer or a dessert. There are many ways to prepare hummus, and it can be enjoyed at any time of the year.
To eat hummus, simply spread some on bread and top it off with other toppings such as tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, pickles, etc.
To enjoy hummus as a snack, dip chunks into pita bread, crackers or crudités. Some even like chopping up vegetables such as carrot sticks, celery, or cucumber or using roasted veggies for dipping.
To add flavor, don’t forget the paprika and drizzle some olive oil over the top before serving.
You can now even buy chocolate hummus and serve with your favorite sweet strawberries for dipping!
Health Benefits Of Hummus
Chickpeas Good For Your Health!
Chickpeas contain plenty of nutrients that help protect against heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
These healthy legumes also provide fiber, protein, iron, folate, zinc, magnesium, potassium, copper, manganese, phosphorus, vitamin B6, and niacin.
Chickpeas are also rich in antioxidants called flavonoids. Flavonoids are powerful compounds that may play a role in preventing cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and aging.
Chickpeas are high in dietary fiber, which helps lower cholesterol levels. Fiber also helps regulate blood sugar levels and keeps you feeling full longer.
Chickpea flour contains more protein than wheat flour, making it a great alternative to gluten-free baking. It’s also low in fat and calories.
Hummus can also be a great healthy snack when paired with veggies. Fill your plate with a range of vegetables to keep calories low and keep you fuller for longer!
Limit yourself to around 2 tablespoons of hummus per serving, and it can be a great snack, even when trying to lose weight.
Final Thoughts: What Does Hummus Taste Like?
We hope after reading this article you have learned all things hummus and know exactly what to expect when tasting it for the first time.
It’s rich, it’s creamy, and it’s delicious. Pair with some crusty bread or some crunchy veggies, and it can make up part of your evening meal or for a very tasty snack!
Your turn! What Does Hummus Taste Like to you?
For more frequently asked questions, visit our index of food-related questions and answers. Here are a few suggestions for you: