International Hummus Day

Since May 13 is International Hummus Day, we have no choice but to celebrate this delicious mixture of chickpeas, tahini paste, lemon juice and garlic. Hummus has been around for centuries and it is one of the most versatile and healthy ingredients on many menus worldwide. Today we celebrate hummus for everything it provides us in nutrition and culture.

Hummus is an Eastern Mediterranean and Egyptian dish, and it can be made as a sauce or spread. Nowadays, the delicious "dip" is most popular in the Middle East and North Africa.

History of International Hummus Day

The origin of hummus is partly unknown and is often the subject of polemics and disputes. Although we know that it originated in the Middle East, many regions in the Eastern Mediterranean claim that the true originators of this dish came from there. The first real mention of hummus was found in Cairo in a cookbook from the 13th century, which mentions cold chickpea puree with pickled lemon, oil, herbs and spices. Although somewhat different from today's recipe, we still agree that this original method of preparation sounds tempting.

Hummus has remained a staple in the diet of many residents of the Middle East, where chickpeas are naturally widespread. The word hummus has its roots in the Arabic word for "chickpeas", and the full name of this delicious spread is ḥummuṣ bi ṭaḥīna, i.e. "chickpeas with tahini".

While there is some debate over whether or not the Greeks invented hummus, most believe it spread between Greek and Middle Eastern traders, along with popular delicacies like baklava and stuffed grape leaves. For this reason, hummus is known as one of the most famous crossover foods.

Strife in the Middle East

Hummus is considered a national dish in many Middle Eastern countries. Since many have tried to claim it, this sauce is equally a cultural and culinary phenomenon. For example - in 2008, the "hummus war" broke out when Lebanon, that is, the president of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists, tried to sue Israel for "stealing" and promoting hummus as its dish. Angry that hummus has become known in the West as an Israeli dish, the Lebanese government submitted a request to the European Union to recognize hummus as a Lebanese specialty, but that attempt failed.

The hummus competition continued but in a slightly more creative and less aggressive tone - breaking the record for making the largest hummus in the world. In 2009, the Lebanese ended up in the Guinness Book of Records when they made the largest plate of hummus in the world, which weighed as much as 2 tons. Soon, the Israelis struck back and served twice as much hummus as the Lebanese on a satellite dish, and the saga of competing for the largest hummus in the world ended in 2010 when the Lebanese served 10.425 kilograms of hummus for every square meter of the country and have held the world record ever since.

How to celebrate International Hummus Day?

Although the history of this dish is somewhat unclear, the beginnings of International Hummus Day are historically more recent and well-known. It was mentioned for the first time in 2013, when this international day was created by Ben Lang to create "a food festival that could bring together people from all over the world."

Here's how you can enjoy International Hummus Day:

• If you don't know yet, learn how to prepare hummus

Just because hummus is so delicious doesn't mean it's hard to make! Hummus can be prepared with just a few ingredients, and if you have a blender or hand mixer, you can be sure that preparing this dish will be extremely easy.

To make hummus, add a little salt, a touch of lemon juice, a little bit freshly grated garlic and a little virgin olive oil to the blended chickpeas. If you want a richer taste of hummus - add tahini, a sesame seed paste used in traditional hummus recipes.

See the recipe

• Try different foods for dipping in hummus

Although the taste of traditional hummus is amazing by itself, it can be made even better by foods that are dipped or sprinkled on top, such as:

1. Vegetables – you can chop carrot sticks, celery, cucumber slices, pepper halves, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini or radish slices.
2. Bread - in addition to the already well-known toast, you will also enjoy hummus with these snacks for dipping: salty sticks, grissini, various crackers, and nacho chips. Hummus also goes well with rice crackers.

• Organize your private hummus festival and become part of the celebration happening around the world

Although hummus is a common and well-known dish all over the world, this does not mean that everyone is familiar with its irresistible taste. Ask your friends or colleagues if there is anyone who has not yet tried hummus and surprise them with this irresistible dish. International Hummus Day is the perfect day to expand your culinary horizons and discover new flavors of this delicious spread!

Hummus - healthy food full of vitamins

Hummus is one of the tastiest vegetarian dips, but is it good for your health?

Since it contains sesame and olive oil, hummus is naturally rich in "good" fats. It is also low in carbohydrates and is a fairly good source of plant protein and fiber, which are beneficial for digestive health. It has a low glycemic index, which means it helps control blood sugar levels. Depending on the recipe, it may be slightly saltier, if so - it should be consumed in moderation and watch out for salt intake. Hummus contains omega-3 fats, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc, as well as most B vitamins.

Hummus is consumed around the world by people of various dietary habits and preferences because it is free of most common food allergens, including gluten, nuts or dairy.

Now that we've concluded that hummus is a truly healthy (and delicious) food - it's time to celebrate International Hummus Day!