International Hummus Day is celebrated each year on May 13th and is a day dedicated to honoring this tasty Middle Eastern treat. Hummus is a creamy dip or spread made from cooked, mashed chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and salt. It is high in fiber and protein, making it a healthy snack option.

The origin of hummus is believed to date back to Ancient Egypt. It is thought to have been developed as a nutritious and filling meal for the poor, with the main ingredients of chickpeas and sesame paste being readily available. Hummus is now a popular dish throughout the Middle East, North Africa and the Mediterranean.

The earliest known hummus recipe is thought to date back to the 13th century, when it was mentioned in a manuscript from the Cairo Geniza. The Cairo Geniza is a collection of manuscripts and documents from the 10th to the 19th centuries which were discovered in the Ben Ezra Synagogue in Cairo, Egypt. The documents include religious texts, legal records and correspondence, and are an important source of information about Jewish life in the Middle East during this period. The earliest known hummus recipe is thought to have been found among the documents in the Cairo Geniza. This recipe called for boiling chickpeas and mixing them with sesame oil and spices. Since then, hummus has been a staple of Middle Eastern cuisine, and its popularity has spread around the world.

Today, there are many different kinds of hummus. Traditional hummus is made with chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic and salt. However, there are also variations on the traditional recipe, such as roasted red pepper hummus, olive hummus and even chocolate hummus.

According to a 2019 report from the Institute of Food Technologists, Americans consume more than 500 million pounds of hummus each year. This makes the United States the world’s largest consumer of hummus. Globally, hummus consumption is growing rapidly, with the global hummus market estimated to reach $2.7 billion by 2021.

 

In honor of International Hummus Day, here are some fun facts about hummus:

• It is believed to have originated in the Middle East over 6,000 years ago
• The word “hummus” is derived from the Arabic word for “chickpea”
• Hummus is a staple of Middle Eastern cuisine, but it has become popular in the Western world in recent years
• In 2019, the world’s largest hummus dish weighed 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs)
• Israel is believed to be the world’s biggest per capita consumer of hummus

 

Hummus Recipe

Ingredients:

1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

3 tablespoons tahini

3 tablespoons olive oil

3 tablespoons lemon juice

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon ground cumin

Salt and pepper, to taste

 

Instructions:

1. Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.
2. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
3. Serve hummus with pita chips, crackers, or your favorite veggies. Enjoy!

 

Celebrate International Hummus Day by trying out some delicious hummus recipes or by enjoying some hummus with your favorite snacks! Let us know if you try this recipe or your favorite hummus.