Creamy hummus spread on flatbread, carrot sticks dipped into hummus, hummus dolloped onto a doner kebab – is there a wrong way to eat hummus!? We think not.
The history of hummus
Hummus is a dip primarily made out of chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and salt and… it is DELICIOUS! The word hummus means ‘chickpea’ in Arabic and this dish has been around for a very long time. Because of this, it is hard to pinpoint exactly where hummus originated, however, the chickpea was first grown thousands of years ago in the ancient Mediterranean and the Middle East.
According to history: the chickpea grew in Palestine and was one of the first crops of Mesopotamia, was a street snack in Rome and even the Greek philosophers, Plato and Socrates mentioned hummus in their writings. There is also a ‘hummus’ reference in the Hebrew Bible, though they use the word ‘hometz’, leading many historians to insist hummus was created by the Jewish people. Others say the word ‘hometz’ meant vinegar and not hummus. Lebanese also claim they invented hummus. At the end of the day, all we know is that hummus is delectable and is very easy to make.
How hummus is made
One of the best things about hummus is that it is super easy to make yourself. The chickpeas are drained and rinsed and then blended with the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, tahini, and a little water – you can also add a little cumin if you desire. It turns into a creamy puree which is set out in a bowl and drizzled with olive oil.
How to eat hummus
There are many ways to eat hummus. You can spread it on bread and toast, smear it on a burger instead of mayonnaise, dollop it onto a pizza, dip corn chips, carrot sticks and other vegetables into it – the list is endless and hummus pairs well with almost everything!
The perks of hummus
As long as you consume hummus in moderation, this chickpea dip is quite healthy. It is high in good fat (olive oil), low in carbs and is a good plant-based alternative to meat. Hummus has some omega-3 fats, calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc. A cooking tip to make your hummus healthier is less olive oil and no salt.
Where to find hummus in Singapore
There are lots of restaurants and cafes in Singapore that serve creamy hummus. Check out Abu Mubarak Mandi Rice and Byblos Grill. They all serve hummus at a moderate price and are rated highly on foodpanda!
