Dating back to 13th century Egypt, hummus has become a mainstay and beloved snack in America. And for good reason, too. Not only is hummus delicious and unique, but it has a plethora of health benefits that any health conscious snacker would appreciate.
But what’s in hummus anyway? Here are a breakdown of the basic ingredients and their nutritional benefits:
Chickpeas
Also known as a garbanzo bean, chick peas are in the legume family. Chickpeas are an ancient bean, cultivated over 7,000 years ago in the Middle East, is an excellent source of both protein and fiber.
To eat, chickpeas are rapidly boiled. To date, chick peas often come in a can and are drained and patted dry before use.
Tahini
Tahini is a paste made from ground, toasted sesame seeds. The paste itself has a nutty, oily, and creamy flavor and is used in a plethora of Middle Eastern, African, and Mediterranean dishes. Tahini is an excellent source of amino acid methionines and gives hummus a very distinct, creamy and nutty flavor.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is a plant based fat derived from pressed olives. Olive oil is an excellent source of monosaturated fat, a healthy dietary fat that is said to help lower bad cholesterol levels in the body. For centuries, olive oil has also been used to benefit skin and hair as well.
Lemon Juice
Hummus dips are full of healthy fats, and lemon juice helps to bring a bright acidic tang to this creamy Mediterranean dish. There are many health benefits of lemon juice, as it is said to support weight loss, aid in digestion, and balance the body’s PH levels.
Garlic
Although this one isn’t quite a vampire’s favorite, it certainly is a favorite root vegetable for countless cultures across the globe. Considered a part of the onion genus, garlic has a pungent, and distinct flavor that is used in a great deal of Mediterranean and Italian dishes. Garlic is extremely healthy, and is packed with vitamin B6, C, maganese, and many other vital nutrients that your body needs.
For hummus recipes, these ingredients are the standard and baseline. From there, however, many get creative. For example, roasted red pepper hummus dip has roasted red peppers, and is known for its red color and distinctly sweet and roasted flavor.
When it comes to hummus dips, the possibilities are endless. So what’s you’re favorite flavor?