The Surprising Way That Hummus Is Prepared and Served in Türkiye (2024)

FAQs

How is hummus traditionally served? ›

There's much debate over how you should enjoy your hummus (hot or cold). It really comes down to preference. Traditionally, hummus is served warm, with pita bread.

Serving Style of Hummus

In most cultures, hummus serves for dipping or spread in sandwiches or pita bread. We, Turks, love to eat hummus as a meze and we love to spoon it onto the side of our plates because this is how we eat meze in Turkey.

Although Hummus is a delicious dip enjoyed by millions around the world including Greece and Turkey, but non of these two countries invented it. It's actually a Middle Eastern food probably from the Levant area and it's surrounding like Iraq and Egypt. There are different recipes for each Middle Eastern country today.

hummus, paste originating in the Middle East that is traditionally made of pureed or mashed cooked chickpeas mixed with tahini—a toasted sesame condiment—and diced garlic, lemon juice, and salt.

On a recent trip to Istanbul, we tasted Turkish hummus, which is served as a meze as well as for breakfast, and as a sandwich, tucked into pocket bread. It was softer in texture, nuttier with tahini, spiked with cumin and more lemony than the Middle Eastern-style hummus that we know and love.

Israelis use Hummus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with pita, pita bread, bread, chips, crackers, etc. This light and nutritious snack goes well with vegetables, meat, and mushroom dishes. No meal in Israel can be imagined without Hummus.

For starters, homemade humus will almost always spoil faster because store-bought, which is prepared in sterile and contamination-controlled environments. Homemade varieties will generally last anywhere from 3-4 days, whereas store-bought brands generally lasts 6-7 days after opening.

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.

Chickpeas have been a part of the Mediterranean diet for centuries, they are even mentioned in Bible. Hummus is mentioned in the Book of Ruth: “Come hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the hometz.” So it is very likely that Jesus would have eaten hummus although there is no evidence.

Is hummus healthy? ›

Hummus, which is high in nutrients and protein, can help with weight loss. The high fiber content prevents overeating and weight gain, especially around the organs. The spread helps balance blood sugar levels and fights cravings and overeating.

Serve hummus with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of paprika, sumac, or Za'atar.

Despite its worldwide popularity, hummus retains its status as a cherished culinary treasure deeply intertwined with Middle Eastern and Eastern Mediterranean food traditions, symbolizing a rich history of trade, migration, and cultural interchange.

Israeli-style hummus has a substantial amount of tahini. Unlike Greek hummus, which is heavy on garlic and lemon, Israeli hummus is all about the tahini.

All we can say is yum. So, to put it simply – yes, warm hummus is absolutely acceptable. Not only acceptable, but recommended, depending on where in the world you live (in Turkey, hummus is traditionally served warm). Of course, many prefer to enjoy hummus cold – especially when you're dipping fresh cut veggies.

There are so many ways to enjoy this protein packed, plant-based dip. Greek Hummus is typically served as part of a mezze platter or by itself with warm pita bread.

Regional preparations. As an appetizer and dip, diners scoop hummus with flatbread, such as pita. It is also served as part of a meze or as an accompaniment to falafel, grilled chicken, fish, or eggplant.