Hummus may be a Middle Eastern dish, but it’s now a popular dish worldwide.
Case in point: Statistics show that an average American consumes up to 1.85 pounds of hummus annually. (*)
So if you are one of the few people who haven’t tried hummus yet, you are surely missing out!
But wait, what does hummus taste like?
Summary: it’s garlicky, tangy, and packed with umami flavors with a creamy and smooth texture.
If you wish to know more about hummus, you should check out this article.
In this article, we’ll also talk about:
- What is hummus?
- What does hummus taste like (and what it shouldn’t taste like)?
- How to serve hummus?
- Plus cooking tips for making the best hummus!
So what are you waiting for? Let’s get it on!
What is Hummus?
Also called tahini sauce or labneh, hummus is a famous Middle Eastern dip.
It’s made by creaming together chickpeas, olive oil, tahini, lemon juice, and different types of spices.
While these ingredients make up the basic hummus recipe, many people have updated their recipes to include a wide range of add-ons to enhance its flavor. These include roasted red pepper, olive, tomatoes, olive tapenades, cumin, beets, turmeric, and many more.
What Does Hummus Taste Like?
Here’s the surprising part: Even though hummus is mainly chickpeas, it tastes nothing like it. So if you don’t like chickpeas, you can definitely try and still enjoy hummus.
So what does it taste like? To be honest, no other dip tastes just like it, so it’s kind of hard to describe.
Here’s the best description we can come up with: it’s garlicky, slightly nutty, tangy, and packed with umami flavors.
All of these flavors are delivered with a creamy mouth-watering texture that is similar to the smooth texture of mayonnaise and other cream-based dips. The only difference is that it’s a bit thicker, so it delivers a better mouthfeel.
But of course, the taste of hummus will vary depending on the ingredients or flavorings you wish to add. Some of the most common flavored hummus ideas are chocolate hummus, black bean hummus, olive hummus, peanut butter hummus, carrot hummus, and many more.
What Does Hummus Taste Like When It Goes Bad?
Like most food items, hummus also turns sour when it goes bad. Another way to determine if the hummus has gone bad is to inspect and smell it. If the hummus has turned pale yellow, has become chunky instead of smooth, and already smells a bit sour, we recommend throwing it out to avoid food poisoning. (*)
Why Eat Hummus?
In addition to its unique taste, fantastic texture, and versatility, people go crazy about hummus because of its nutritional content.
Here are some of the excellent health benefits you can get when you incorporate hummus into your diet:
1. Great Source of Protein
You can get up to 7.9 grams of protein from only 100 grams of hummus. (*) The best part is its plant-based protein, suitable for people on a vegan or vegetarian diet.
2. Rich in Powerful Antioxidants
Antioxidants are known to fight off free radicals. (*) These are also said to fight off chronic inflammation associated with a wide array of serious health issues.
3. High in Fiber
Hummus contains high amounts of dietary fiber. For example, a 100g serving of hummus can provide you with up to 6 grams of dietary fiber, making up 24% of the daily fiber requirement for women and 16% for men.
4. Low Glycemic Index
If you’re having issues regulating your blood sugar levels, hummus is one of the best snacks. It has a low glycemic index, meaning it won’t raise your blood sugar levels.
5. Contains Heart-Healthy Fats
Hummus is one of the few food items that contain heart-healthy fats. These fats can help lower your blood cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of heart diseases.
6. Free of Dairy, Gluten, and Nuts
Suppose you have specific intolerances like gluten allergy, lactose intolerance, and nut allergies. In that case, hummus is one of the safest snacks you can enjoy since it’s gluten-, dairy, and nut-free.
Warning:
Hummus is rich in raffinose which is not recommended for people with irritable bowel syndrome. (*) Additionally, it contains tahini or sesame seed paste, which may cause allergies. (*)
How to Serve Hummus?
Still don’t have any idea how you can incorporate hummus into your diet? Here are some fantastic ideas that you can try:
1. Use it as a dip.
It’s most commonly served as a dip, so this is one of the best serving ideas that you should try. Some of the best accouterments with hummus dips are tortilla chips, fresh vegetable sticks, crackers, fries, and fruits.
2. Turn it into spread.
Are you tired of making hummus as a dip? Well, turn it into a spread! You can use it as a spread for sandwiches, tortilla wraps, and even pitas.
Pro Tip: Use it to replace either mayonnaise or mustard in recipes.
3. Whip a salad dressing out of it.
Do you want a healthy salad dressing? If so, mix hummus with olive oil and a splash of lemon, and you’re good to go!
4. Make it into a pasta sauce.
Here’s another great idea: make pasta sauce out of hummus! But, of course, the best thing about hummus pasta sauce is that it’s lactose-free and nutritious.
All you need to do is mix it with pasta, add salt, and a splash of olive oil. Another option is to mix it with your pasta sauce to make it creamier.
Upgrade its flavor.
As we’ve mentioned, people are now adding different types of ingredients to enhance its taste or simply jazz up hummus. If you want to try it out, here are some of your best options:
- Pomegranate seeds for added crunch and sweet juices
- Sugar, cocoa, and vanilla for a sweet twist
- Cayenne pepper, sumac, or paprika for a spicy kick
- Juice from oranges and lemons for an added tang
- Greens and herbs like parsley, basil, rosemary, dill, and chives for a subtle earthy flavor and a pop of color
- Seeds and Nuts for extra texture
Bonus: Hummus Cooking Tips You Need to Know
Surprise: You can make your hummus at home! If you plan on doing so, you may want to check out these excellent cooking tips:
1. Always cook chickpeas.
Whether the chickpeas are canned or dried, it’s highly recommended that you cook them if you wish to make creamier hummus.
2. Peel the chickpeas.
Another way to achieve creamier hummus is to peel the chickpeas before creaming them.
3. Add baking soda to the water where you will soak dried hummus.
Doing this can help cut down the soaking period as it helps soften the chickpeas a lot faster.
4. Mix tahini, fresh lemon juice, and garlic first before adding them to the chickpeas.
This is the best way to create a lighter and creamier hummus.
The Bottom Line
Hummus is one of the superfoods that we have today. But unfortunately, not everyone has tried it yet.
What does hummus taste like? It doesn’t taste like chickpeas—which is a big plus for people who don’t like it. Instead, it’s packed with umami with tangy and garlicky hints. Its texture also delivers the best mouthfeel making it a delight to eat!
So what are you waiting for? Go and try hummus now!
