what is the main ingredient in hummus

What's in hummus?

As a hummus company, we are always getting asked what’s in hummus. Shocker. And while our answer often varies due to innovative new flavors arriving on the market (such as Kale Pesto hummus, Mango Tomatillo hummus, and even Chocolate!), traditional hummus is made from a simple combination of hearty, healthy ingredients.

What kind of salt is used in hummus?

An unprocessed, traditional hummus will likely use a good-quality sea salt to add flavor, as opposed to more processed “table salt,” which is iodized. Sea salt, especially Himalayan sea salt, has numerous health benefits. For one, it contains 60 trace minerals.

What kind of oil do you put in hummus?

Traditionally, hummus is often made with high-quality extra virgin olive oil, but if you decide to make your own, make sure to avoid fake olive oil, and be careful to purchase extra virgin olive oil that is truly pure and free from fillers.

How many carbs in a hummus?

Hummus Nutrition Facts 1 177 calories 2 20.1 grams carbohydrates 3 4.9 grams protein 4 8.6 grams fat 5 4 grams fiber 6 0.6 milligram manganese (28 percent DV) 7 0.4 milligram vitamin B6 (20 percent DV) 8 59 micrograms folate (15 percent DV) 9 7.9 milligrams vitamin C (13 percent DV) 10 110 milligram phosphorus (11 percent DV) More items...

What is the key ingredient in hummus?

ChickpeasChickpeas, hummus's main ingredient, give you protein, good-for-you carbs, and fiber. Like other members of the legume family, they routinely top lists of the world's healthiest foods.

What is plain hummus made of?

Hummus is a delicious spread or dip made from chickpeas, tahini, lemon, and spices. It's commonly eaten in the Middle East and the Mediterranean.

What legumes are the main ingredient in hummus?

The base ingredient is of course garbanzo beans – also known as chickpeas, bengal grams, Egyptian peas, and ceci beans. While it derives much of its nutritional value and signature creamy texture from garbanzo beans, the other ingredients give hummus its unique and versatile flavor.

What contains hummus?

Hummus is an ancient Middle Eastern recipe made from pureed chickpeas. It usually contains additional flavoring agents — typically tahini, lemon juice, salt, and an oil. Many types of hummus include additional ingredients, such as red pepper, ground garlic, or nuts.

Is hummus made from beans?

Although "hummus" literally means "chickpeas" in Arabic, you can make hummus from any kind of cooked legume you like: chickpeas, black beans, white beans, soy beans, green peas, yellow lentils, etc. Yes, you can totally cook your own if you want to—you don't have to use canned, it's just the easiest option.

Is hummus always made with chickpeas?

Hummus means chickpeas in Arabic, so while the black bean or cannellini “hummus” we're eating might taste just fine, if there isn't a chickpea in there, it really isn't hummus. The most important thing to note about chickpeas is that they have translucent skins.

Does hummus make you fart?

Chickpeas are the main ingredient in hummus, so for all the reasons we looked at above, hummus can also cause gas. On one hand, hummus also contains other ingredients that aren't likely to cause gas like: Tahini. Oil.

Why does hummus make me poop?

Thanks to its high fiber content, hummus can help keep you regular. This is because dietary fiber helps soften and add bulk to stools so that they are easier to pass ( 14 ). What's more, dietary fiber also helps feed the healthy bacteria that live in your gut.

What is tahini made from?

Tahini is made of three ingredients: hulled sesame seeds, oil and sometimes salt. Hulled sesame seeds are typically toasted then ground and emulsified with oil to create a smooth, creamy seed butter with a pourable consistency.

What are chickpeas made of?

chickpea, (Cicer arietinum), also called garbanzo bean or Bengal gram, annual plant of the pea family (Fabaceae), widely grown for its nutritious seeds.

Why is hummus healthy for you?

Hummus is a great source of dietary fiber, which can improve digestive health. It provides 6 grams of dietary fiber per 3.5 ounces (100 grams), which is equal to 24% of the daily fiber recommendation for women and 16% for men ( 13 ). Thanks to its high fiber content, hummus can help keep you regular.

What is hummus made of science?

Hummus is a thick dip or spread made from cooked, mashed chickpeas, blended with tahini (sesame seed paste), and typically seasoned with olive or sesame oil, lemon juice, salt, and garlic. Hummus is thought to have originated in Cairo in the 13th century. Hummus has long been a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine.

Garbanzo Beans

The main ingredient of hummus is garbanzo beans. These beans are known by many different names all over the world. Other names include chickpeas, bengal grams, egyptian peas, ceci beans and kabuli chana. They are an agricultural wonder, restoring depleted soil nutrients while producing a valuable crop.

Tahini

Tahini is made from sesame seeds that are soaked in water and then crushed to separate the bran from the kernels. The crushed seeds are then soaked in salt water, causing the bran to sink. The floating kernels are skimmed off the surface, toasted, and ground to produce a paste. This is one of the most crucial ingredients of hummus.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Of equal importance in the ingredients of hummus is olive oil. Olive oil is quite simply the oil obtained from the fruit of an olive tree. However, there is a large difference between the way olive oil and extra virgin olive oil is extracted.

Garlic

Garlic is one of the earliest recorded plants used by humans for its medicinal properties and for the treatment of disease. It contains a potent medicinal compound called Allicin, believed to have therapeutic effects. Garlic is in the Allium (onion) family, along with shallots, onions and leeks.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is high in Vitamin C and is a natural preservative. It lends a light, fresh flavor to hummus. Lemon lightens the flavor of the other hummus ingredients, and brings a delicious tanginess to it.

Sea Salt

Sea salt is produced from the evaporation of seawater, rather than by being extracted from sedimentary deposits. Sea salt contains vital minerals like potassium and calcium, among many other beneficial elements. Sea salt is one of the most important of hummus ingredients, by boosting and bringing out flavor.

GARBANZO BEANS

Mainly, hummus is made of garbanzo beans . They are one of the earliest known cultivated legumes, originating in the Middle East but now grown in a variety of warmer locales.

TAHINI

Tahini is a sesame seed paste, made from soaking sesame seeds in water and then crushing them to separate the bran from the kernels. When the seeds are then soaked in salt water, the bran sinks and allows the floating kernels to be collected, toasted, and ground into paste.

EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL

Any discussion of what hummus is made from has to include olive oil as a main ingredient, and the oil’s quality greatly affects the quality of the dip as a whole. While olive oil is any oil derived from the fruit of the olive tree, the processing of olive oil creates tremendous differences in the taste and nutrient density of the final product.

GARLIC

Well known for its unique pungent flavor, garlic is a member of the Allium (onion) family, along with shallots, onions and leeks. It also contains Allacin, a potent medicinal compound, and as such is one of the earliest recorded plants used by humans for its medicinal properties.

LEMON

Lemon juice contains high levels of Vitamin C, and is an effective natural preservative due to its citric acid content. It also adds tanginess and a light, fresh flavor to hummus.

SEA SALT

Sea salt is produced by the evaporation of seawater, leaving behind salt rich in vital minerals such as potassium and calcium. Also having a more understated flavor than most other salts, it adds depth to hummus’ flavor without overpowering it.

Etymology and spelling

The word hummus comes from Arabic: حُمُّص‎, romanized : ḥummuṣ ' chickpeas '. The full name of the prepared spread in Arabic is ḥummuṣ bi ṭaḥīna 'chickpeas with tahini'.

Origin and history

Although multiple different theories and claims of origins exist in various parts of the Middle East, evidence is insufficient to determine the precise location or time of the invention of hummus. Its basic ingredients— chickpeas, sesame, lemon, and garlic —have been combined and eaten in Egypt and the Levant over centuries.

Regional preparations

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Nutrition

Chickpeas, the main ingredient of conventional hummus, have appreciable amounts of dietary fiber, protein, vitamin B6, manganese and other nutrients.

Packaged product

In 2006, hummus was present in 12 percent of American households, rising to 17 percent by early 2009. One commentator attributed the growth of hummus to America's embrace of ethnic and exotic foods.

Culture

Hummus is often seen as an unofficial "national dish" of Israel, reflecting its huge popularity and significance among the entire Israeli population, which Israel's critics describe as an appropriation of Lebanese, Palestinian and Arab culture.

What Is Hummus?

Hummus has a rich tradition — some even refer to it as an “ancient” food that has a history of being consumed by important historical figures in the Middle East.

What Is Hummus Good For? 8 Benefits

Mediterranean and Middle Eastern populations have been consuming good-quality olive oil and tahini for thousands of years.

Hummus Nutrition Facts

What is hummus made of nutritionally? When you look at hummus nutrition facts, you will see that it is loaded with nutrients.

What Is Hummus Made Of?

Like all beans and legumes, chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans) are high in plant-based in protein and fiber. They help make you feel full, improve digestion and aid heart health too. ( 11)

Types of Hummus

There are endless ways to use hummus: as a dip along with whole grain sprouted bread or crackers, smeared on a veggie-based sandwich, as a dressing on top of salad or grains, and even as a healthy substitution for other spreads like sugary jelly or butter.

What Is Hummus Used In? How to Make It and Recipes

Although there are many brands of hummus on the market that use minimal ingredients and avoid an excess of added preservatives, it’s always a good idea to make your own homemade version of any food that you frequently eat whenever possible.

What is Hummus?

Hummus actually means chickpeas in Arabic. Hummus is a dip made of cooked and pureed chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, and other seasonings.

What is Hummus Eaten With?

Hummus is a dip for all sorts of vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers and celery. Or try it with crackers and pita bread.

The Great Middle Eastern Dip Conflict

Most food historians consider hummus an Arab dish, although it is commonly eaten all throughout the Middle East.

Why Make Hummus?

Making your own food is always a good idea, if only to know what ingredients you are eating. However, making your own hummus also has another major benefit.

3 Tasty Tips for the Smoothest Creamiest Hummus Ever

If you plan on making hummus weekly (like we do), you need the right equipment.

Notes

Please note: If you chill the hummus, bring to room temperature about 15 minutes before eating for the best taste.

What is hummus?

Hummus is a Middle Eastern food. It’s a rich, creamy dip with a garlicky taste and a melt-in-your-mouth consistency similar to mayonnaise or other types of smooth dips and spreads.

Where did hummus originate from?

There is some debate over the origins of hummus. Many countries claim it as their own. However, it likely originated in ancient Egypt in the 13 th century. The word “hummus” actually means “chickpea” in Arabic.

What is the nutritional value of hummus?

Not only is hummus delicious, but it’s also packed with nutritional value. First, it’s an excellent source of plant-based protein, making it very popular among vegetarians and vegans. Hummus also contains folate, iron, phosphorus, and B vitamins, as well as antioxidants. In addition, it’s high in fiber and has lots of heart-healthy fats.

How is hummus made?

Hummus is relatively easy to make. In fact, you can do it at home in about five minutes. Open and rinse a few cans of chickpeas and toss them in the food processor. Then, add in tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. Puree it, add a swirl of olive oil on top, then sprinkle it with paprika, and it’s ready to go!

When is hummus in season?

Since hummus is typically made from canned ingredients, you don’t have to worry about it being “in season.” You can find store-bought hummus year-round in the deli section of the grocery store. If you don’t see it, look up “hummus near me,” and you should be able to find it locally with no problem.

What should you look for when buying hummus?

There are many different types of premade hummus on the market today. Flavored hummus is a popular option that includes classic, lemon, roasted pine nut, caramelized onion, and more.

How to store hummus

To keep your hummus fresh for as long as possible, store it in the refrigerator after every use. Keeping it in a tightly closed container will also help keep moisture and other contaminants out of the product.

Overview

Nutrition

Chickpeas, the main ingredient of conventional hummus, have appreciable amounts of dietary fiber, protein, vitamin B6, manganese and other nutrients.
As hummus recipes vary, so does nutritional content, depending primarily on the relative proportions of chickpeas, tahini, and water. Hummus provides roughly 170 calories for 100 grams, and is a good to excellent (more than 10% of the Daily Value) source of dietary fiber, vitamin B6, …

Etymology and spelling

Origin and history

Regional preparations

Packaged product

Culture

See also