# Can we talk about hummus? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 20, 2019, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-hummus/845162 "2019-12-20T23:03:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2019, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-hummus/845162/21 "2019-12-21T02:06:11Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > never been to Israel, but I love the stuff. What I get from restaurants around here (SE Michigan, lots of Lebanese, Syrian, etc.) is fairly smooth. I’ve made my own from scratch following this recipe: > > [The Best Smooth Hummus Recipe](https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2016/03/israeli-style-extra-smooth-hummus-recipe.html) > > It tasted great but I’d have cut back just a bit on the tahini, it was a bit too “thin” for my liking. only modification was I did the chickpeas in an instant pot. This looks like what Chris Kimball was talking about. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2019, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-hummus/845162/22 "2019-12-21T02:35:16Z")
I buy the Sabra brand occasionally. It’s one of those things that I can’t get enough of until suddenly, I’ve had enough. I dip it with Stacey’s Pita Chips. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2019, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-hummus/845162/23 "2019-12-21T02:42:50Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Do you mean [Sabra](https://www.amazon.com/Sabra-Classic-Hummus-10-oz/dp/B00120UWY6/ref=sr_1_1?almBrandId=QW1hem9uIEZyZXNo&fpw=alm&keywords=Sabra+hummus&qid=1576890389&sr=8-1)? I’m pretty sure [this](https://www.osem.co.il/factory/sabra-salads/) is the brand I saw (“Sabra Salads”), a subsidiary of Osem, a subsidiary of Nestle, maybe with some additional corporate layers in between. The ones in your link look similar as far as the packaging, but I can’t be 100% sure it’s the same one. [This brand](https://www.strauss-group.co.il/brand/achla/) (Achla, owned by Strauss) was another Israeli supermarket brand, but Wikipedia lists [Sabra Dipping Company, LLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabra_(company)) as owned by Strauss, so I remain confused as to which is which and which company is owned by whom, or maybe it doesn’t matter because they are all made in the same giant hummus factory and the difference is only in the packaging. I defer to the Israelis in this thread on this one. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2019, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-hummus/845162/24 "2019-12-21T02:43:57Z")
Why not just eat Fix-All? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2019, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-hummus/845162/25 "2019-12-21T03:13:09Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Why not just eat Fix-All? Not enough garlic. ETA: My wife makes awesome hummus, and she made some recently and said “I think I made a mistake - I added an extra clove of garlic, and I think it might be too much.” I said: “There’s _no such thing_ as ‘too much garlic’” It was delicious… ---
**Author:** ![Daylate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9dc877/32.png) [@Daylate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daylate)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2019, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-hummus/845162/26 "2019-12-21T03:58:57Z")
The main problem I have with hummus is that it tastes just like it sounds. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2019, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-hummus/845162/27 "2019-12-21T04:06:15Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > On a recent episode of Milk Street Chris Kimball talked about having hummus in Israel. He said it was very creamy, almost like a porridge, nothing like the firm spreadable substance that one finds here. You can find hummus like this in restaurants these days. If you are ever in Chicago [Ema](https://www.leye.com/restaurant/ema/) is one place that serves it like this and it is delicious. I’ve seen it like this a few other places too (also in Chicago) but I cannot remember them right now. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2019, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-hummus/845162/28 "2019-12-21T04:25:11Z")
Have you had hummus like this in Israel? – Nope Do you like hummus? – Yep Do you make your own from scratch? – Nope Did you grow up with it? – Nope (Actually tried it years ago after a girlfriend turned me on to Baba Ganoush) How do you eat it? Straight up, as a dip/spread, as a sandwich filling? – as a dip and as a spread/filling; I make a roll-up with a generous dollop in a warm tortilla with some Trader Joe’s Hot ‘n’ Sweet Jalapenos. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2019, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-hummus/845162/29 "2019-12-21T05:20:23Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > Have you had hummus like this in Israel? – Nope > Do you like hummus? – Yep > Do you make your own from scratch? – Nope > Did you grow up with it? – Nope (Actually tried it years ago after a girlfriend turned me on to Baba Ganoush) > How do you eat it? Straight up, as a dip/spread, as a sandwich filling? – as a dip and as a spread/filling; I make a roll-up with a generous dollop in a warm tortilla with some Trader Joe’s Hot ‘n’ Sweet Jalapenos. **blondebear** , you’re in the area, have you tried Falafel’s Drive In on Stevens Creek near 17 & Valley Fair? Their hummus is good, and so is their baba ghanoush. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2019, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-hummus/845162/30 "2019-12-21T05:26:51Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > I just make mine from canned chick peas. I drain the fluid but save it in case I want to thin out the hummus. Likewise. > [@Shoeless](#): > > Stupid question maybe, but where would I find tahini? I’ve looked for it at the grocery store but to be honest, I have no idea what I’m looking for so I’m probably looking in the wrong spot. Depends on the store. One grocer might have it with the nut butters while another might have it with the imported food. I’ve found cashew butter to be an acceptable substitute if no tahini can be found. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2019, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-hummus/845162/31 "2019-12-21T13:26:14Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > …Trader Joe’s Hot ‘n’ Sweet Jalapenos. :eek: Gotta get me some of that!! Today. ---
**Author:** ![MortSahlFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@MortSahlFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MortSahlFan)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2019, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-hummus/845162/32 "2019-12-21T14:35:48Z")
I go to a grocery store where they bring in tamales from this Mexican woman, and the hummus this Palestinian woman makes is SO delicious… It’s worth the extra quarter. I never buy brand-name stuff, especially since one is always Listeria monocytogenes and regular recalls (starts with an ‘S’) I usually eat it with pita bread, but if I run out, or want a snack, I’ll get these homemade nachos and scoop it up. Delicious and so healthy. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2019, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-hummus/845162/33 "2019-12-21T14:48:59Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > I keep hearing raves about chocolate hummus, but haven’t tried it yet. I’m guessing you leave out the garlic and lemon! Yeah, I had a “Dessert Hummus” that was vanilla-something. I prefer savory hummus, myself. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2019, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-hummus/845162/34 "2019-12-21T18:49:46Z")
Homemade hummus is very easy to make, especially if you use canned garbanzo beans (chick peas). Tahini can be hard to find, but **Skywatcher** reported upthread that cashew butter can be an acceptable substitute. A word of caution: use a good food processor. Blenders aren’t as strong and can be burned out. Don’t ask me how I know this. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DaveRaver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daveraver/32/1078_2.png) [@DaveRaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveRaver)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2019, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-hummus/845162/35 "2019-12-21T18:57:36Z")
Have you had hummus like this in Israel? – I haven’t been there yet. Do you like hummus? – Very much so! Do you make your own from scratch? – My dad made it when I was growing up. Did you grow up with it? – Yes, see above. How do you eat it? With some pita bread to dip into it. Sabra brand, while not quite as good as my dad’s, is a good approximation if you top it with paprika. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2019, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-hummus/845162/36 "2019-12-21T19:20:37Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > A word of caution: use a good food processor. Blenders aren’t as strong and can be burned out. > > Don’t ask me how I know this. 😃 I’ve had no problem with a ~500 Watt blender. The trick is to only blend one can of garbanzos at a time. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2019, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-hummus/845162/37 "2019-12-21T20:37:03Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > …Have you had hummus like this in Israel? Never been to Israel > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Do you like hummus? Yes. I don’t love it, but I enjoy hummus, so long as it hasn’t been adulterated with nasty stuff like peppers. I taste a little bit, first, if I’m not sure. > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Do you make your own from scratch? I did once. I used canned chick peas, a jar of tahini, and some garlic, lemon juice, whatever else the recipe called for. It was good. It was very much like supermarket hummus, though, so I never bothered doing that again. > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Did you grow up with it? Depends what you mean, I guess. I’m pretty sure I had it as a teen, but maybe not as a child. It was a “guest” food, not a “resident” food, though. That is, it wasn’t in the regular rotation > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > How do you eat it? Straight up, as a dip/spread, as a sandwich filling? I mostly eat it as a dip/spread, but I’m not above finishing it up by “dipping” my finger into it after I run out of chips. My husband now eats it every day as part of his weight-loss diet. He’s supposed to have scheduled snacks with some protein and fat, and he usually has hummus with raw carrots. So we go through a lot of it. I like [Tribe](https://www.tribehummus.com/flavors/classic.html) brand more than “Sabra”. If I made it myself I would add more lemon juice than the commercial stuff, and maybe a little more tahini. But it’s not worth the effort. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2019, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-hummus/845162/38 "2019-12-21T21:18:32Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > **blondebear** , you’re in the area, have you tried Falafel’s Drive In on Stevens Creek near 17 & Valley Fair? Their hummus is good, and so is their baba ghanoush. I’ve been there for falafel and gyro sandwiches but I had never tried the hummus…until a few minutes ago. I just finished an order and I have to say, it’s pretty tasty! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2019, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-hummus/845162/39 "2019-12-21T22:20:49Z")
Best of both worlds? Regarding texture, one tasty thing I have tried (not from a supermarket) was smooth-blended, though not runny, hummus, topped with a decent amount of whole chickpeas. Btw one thing I like about Arab- and Middle Eastern-style restaurants is the experience of being served a variety of small dishes. So you are not faced with merely a giant bowl of hummus, there is also moutabel, falafel, tabbouleh, ful, tahini, labaneh, olives, muhammara, kibbeh, …-- you get the idea. I think one is missing out on the full appetizer experience if you don’t try it sometime. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2019, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-hummus/845162/40 "2019-12-21T23:01:58Z")
> [@River\_Hippie](#): > > I buy the Sabra brand occasionally. It’s one of those things that I can’t get enough of until suddenly, I’ve had enough. I dip it with Stacey’s Pita Chips. yeah, I have to be careful with their roasted pine nut hummus. I can power through a whole container if I don’t check myself. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-hummus/845162.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-hummus/845162.md?page=3)