Hummus is a Middle Eastern dip made from chickpeas, sesame paste, and olive oil.
The dish has become very popular across the globe, especially in North America, where it is often served at parties or eaten as part of a Mediterranean meal.
In fact, hummus was originally created in Egypt during the Ottoman Empire period.
It became popular after being introduced to the United States in the 1970s.
Today, hummus is sold in grocery stores around the world, and it is also commonly found in restaurants.
Hummus is usually prepared using either a food processor or blender.
If you want to try out homemade hummus, then check out our guide below on what it actually tastes like.
You’ll be surprised by just how amazing this chickpea-based dip is in every dish out there!
What Actually Is Hummus?
Hummus is a dipping dish that actually originates from Israel. Its primary ingredient is garbanzo bean paste (aka tahini).
Garbanzos are native to Southwest Asia; they’re one of the oldest cultivated crops. They’ve been around since ancient times.
The word “hummus” comes from the Arabic word for chickpea, hummūz. Chickpeas were originally grown in Egypt, where they were called kishkum.
Egyptians mixed the cooked chickpeas with bread crumbs and olive style oil, creating a spread called kishk.
This spread became popular throughout the region.
What Does The Hummus Actually Taste Like?
Hummus is basically a spread made of mashed chickpeas mixed with olive-style oil, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper.
It’s one of those things that sounds way too good to be true — and it totally is.
This delicious Middle Eastern staple doesn’t taste anything like what people think it does. In fact, it actually tastes very similar to mayonnaise.
Hummus is one of those foods that people love to hate, but most people are actually fans of the stuff. In fact, many consider it to be the perfect food.
And while there are plenty of recipes out there for making hummus at home, some restaurants make it even better. So, what does hummus taste like?
The answer is pretty simple: it tastes like chickpeas and has a salty twang to it.
While it actually serves as the basis of the dip dish, its character changes depending on what ingredients are actually added to it.
For instance, adding tahini gives it a nutty flavor, garlic adds a garlicky note, lemon juice makes it tangy, and olive oil gives it a smooth mouth feel.
All of these things combine to give the dip a unique flavor.
But while hummus tastes like absolutely nothing else out there, it still shares similarities with other dips.
Its consistency is similar to that of sauces like mayonnaise, and it has a salty, savory quality.
Plus, since hummus is made from beans, it contains less fat and fewer calories than regular dips.
Does It Taste Of Chickpeas?
Hummus is one of those foods that people love to hate.
If it weren’t for the fact that it’s packed full of protein, fiber, and healthy fats, many folks wouldn’t even consider eating it.
But there’s no denying that hummus is delicious — just ask anyone who eats it regularly.
The problem is that most recipes call for chickpeas, and while they’re great in salads and sandwiches, they don’t taste anything like hummus.
They are, however, the main ingredient in hummus. So what gives? Is hummus really made out of chickpeas?
And does it actually taste like them? It does taste like chickpeas, but not directly from the can!
How Is Hummus Made?
Hummus is one of those foods you either love or hate. If you’re like us, you probably don’t even know what it tastes like, because we’ve never had it before.
But now that we’ve tried it, we finally understand why people are obsessed with it — and it’s not just because of the Middle Eastern vibe.
Hummus is actually really simple to make, and it’s super healthy too.
You’ll find recipes for homemade hummus everywhere online, but we wanted to show you our favorite way to do it.
This recipe makes about 4 cups of hummus, enough to serve 8 hungry people.
Add your 2 cans of drained chickpeas, a quarter of a cup of lemon juice, 2 cloves of your garlic, 1 teaspoon of salt, and a half cup of tahini into a food processor of sorts.
Blend this until it roughly forms a silky smooth paste. Add another tablespoon of the olive oil and blend again.
If you want to add some flavor, stir in 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of cumin, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder.
The key here is to keep blending until everything is combined well.
Once you’ve reached the desired consistency, transfer the hummus to a bowl and enjoy!
What Can You Eat With The Dip Hummus?
Most vegetables are great for you, but it’s hard to know what to pair with hummus. Here are some ideas.
Snacks With A Crunch
Apart from those beloved veggies, hard and crunchy snack foods like tortilla chips (see also ‘Can You Freeze Tortillas?‘), pretzel sticks, and crackers are great vessels for dips and spreads.
They’re easy to eat and transport, plus you don’t have to worry about getting messy fingers while dipping.
But what makes these snacks so good for serving up dips and spreads? They’re tasty on their own as well as with the hummus!
Pretzels
These salty treats come in many shapes and sizes, including plain, cheese-filled, cinnamon-dusted, and even chocolate-covered.
If you want something sweet, try dipping some into ice cream (see also our article on Superman ice cream) or topping off pizza bites with them.
Crackers
Cracker recipes vary widely depending on the type of cracker you choose.
Some are baked, others fried, and still, others are coated in savory toppings.
Use whatever style you prefer, but make sure it’s sturdy enough to hold up to the dip.
Nuts And Fruits
When we think about fruits and nuts, we immediately think of the classic combo of apple and peanut butter. But what if we took things one step further?
What if we dipped those two foods into each other? Try nuts and fruits with your hummus today!
Deviled Eggs
The devilish egg (see also ‘How Long Do Hard-Boiled Eggs Last?‘) has been around since ancient times. In fact, it dates all the way back to Roman times.
They’re easy to make and delicious, but there are some things you need to know about deviled eggs (see also ‘Different Types Of Eggs You Need To Try‘).
Most people think that they’re healthy because they contain no cholesterol.
However, they do contain high amounts of fat, saturated fats, and sodium.
Is Hummus A Healthy Dip?
Hummus is a popular dip made out of chickpeas—the most common type of bean found in Middle Eastern cuisine.
Unlike traditional dips like guacamole (see also ‘Can You Freeze Guacamole?’), it doesn’t contain dairy products, eggs, or oil.
Instead, it’s made with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and spices.
Chickpeas are a rich, healthy source of fiber, iron, magnesium, folate, zinc, vitamin B6, potassium, copper, manganese, phosphorus, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and selenium.
In addition, they’re packed with protein, including both soluble and insoluble forms.
The American Heart Association recommends eating legumes every day because they’re a good source of fiber, which helps lower cholesterol levels.
Plus, they provide plenty of nutrients that help boost metabolism, keeping weight off over time.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or an appetizer to serve at your next party, hummus is a tasty option.
It’s also versatile, making it perfect for any occasion.
So, whether you’re planning a picnic, a potluck dinner, or a family gathering, give hummus a try!
Cooking is great for your mental, physical, and emotional health. What’s the worst that could happen? Find a recipe that you like the sound of and cook it along with me. You might even unlock a new passion!
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