Hummus: Greek or Middle Eastern? (2024)

FAQs

Hummus: Greek or Middle Eastern? ›

Drum roll… the oldest reference to hummus bi tahina are not from Greek food history, but rather from Cairo, Egypt, in the 13th century! While this is not conclusive enough to determine a point of origin, most historians agree that hummus was likely created in the Middle East, and eventually found its way to Greece.

Hummus is supposed to date back to the ancient Egyptians, although many cultures declare it is theirs. It is most likely the Greeks discovered hummus while trading with the Egyptians. The Greeks would have eaten hummus with bread, but it's also wonderful with veggies and crackers.

It turns out that the earliest mention in the fascinating world of medieval Middle Eastern cookbooks of hummus is a 13th-century work attributed to the Aleppo historian Ibn al-Adeem (but that may alternatively have been written by an Ayyubid prince). The strongest evidence now points to Syria as the origin of hummus.

Hummus only means “chickpea” in Arabic. What Westerners think of as Hummus is actually called “Hummus bi tahini” in the Middle East.

The origins of the falafel can be traced back to Egypt, which is located between Africa and the Middle East. Egyptians are said to eat falafels every day. In fact, falafels are considered their national dish. Falafels reached North America and Germany in the 20th century.

In Cyprus, hummus is part of the local cuisine in both Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities where it is called "humoi" (Greek: χούμοι). In the United Kingdom, hummus was popularized by Greek Cypriot caterers, sometimes leading to a perception of it being a Greek food.

Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. Located on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula, Greece shares land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to the east.

In English-language dictionaries, hummus first appeared as a defined term between 1950 and 1955, from the Turkish humus. Throughout the Arab world and parts of western Asia, hummus is commonly eaten fresh with pita bread or falafel.

While the exact origins of falafel are unknown, there are many popular theories. Most of these theories agree that falafel was developed in Egypt.

Hummus in the Bible

On the first time Ruth and Boaz had met in Bethlehem, he offered her what seems to have been an ancient form of hummus: “And at meal-time Boaz said unto her, 'Come hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar” (Ruth 2-14).

Should you eat hummus every day? ›

Hummus is a truly nutritious snack that is good to include in your daily diet in moderation and when combined with a diverse range of food. Hummus can be a part of the daily diet if consumed in moderation, and the rest of the diet contains a diverse range of foods.

Israeli hummus is revered for its smooth and creamy consistency, often achieved by a generous addition of tahini, a paste made from ground sesame seeds. Tahini adds a rich, nutty flavor that perfectly balances the earthy taste of chickpeas.

It's a very healthy snack that you can eat as a dip or add to grain bowls, sandwiches, or salads. This hummus recipe is the classic traditional Lebanese hummus that I grew up eating. I learned it from both my parents, one who likes it extra lemony, and the other who likes it extra garlicky.

Countries commonly associated with Mediterranean cuisine most often include those that border the Mediterranean Sea, such as Greece, Italy, Morocco, and Libya. Middle Eastern cuisine considers countries in West Asia, including Iraq, Yemen, United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait.

Greek food is a part of Mediterranean food, a term that encompasses the cuisine of all the countries of the Mediterranean. In brief, it's Mediterranean food with characteristics and ingredients common to other Mediterranean countries like Spain, Italy, Turkey, Malta, Lebanon, etc.

By the mid-20th century a common definition of the Middle East encompassed the states or territories of Turkey, Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Israel, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, Libya, and the various states and territories of Arabia proper (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Oman, Bahrain, ...

Most Saudi holiday meals include thick soups, stuffed vegetables, bean salads or tabbouleh (a salad made with bulgur wheat), hummus, rice, and bread. While hummus did not originate in Saudi Arabia, it is a staple in many kitchens today!

Many dishes can be traced back to ancient Greece: lentil soup, fasolada (though the modern version is made with white beans and tomatoes, both New World plants), tiganites, retsina (white or rosé wine flavored with pine resin) and pasteli (baked sesame-honey bar); some to the Hellenistic and Roman periods: loukaniko ( ...

In recent years, hummus has become very popular in Europe. However, it is a dish with origins in Morocco. Hummus is made from chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and olive oil. In Morocco there are variants of hummus with olives, garlic, and many more.

History of Hummus

The term 'hummus' in Arabic translates to 'chickpea,' with 'hummus bi tahini' signifying 'chickpeas with tahini,' thereby showcasing its primary ingredients. The late 19th and early 20th centuries witnessed significant Jewish immigration to the land of Israel, then known as Palestine.