Hummus: A Classic Dip Gets a Millennial Update
While the exact history of hummus is up for debate, the general idea and the foods influencing this chickpea dip has been around for a long time. Therefore, it is not too much of a misnomer to say that this dip, which has seen a sharp increase in popularity over the past several years, is truly ancient in its origins. However, that has not stopped fans of the product from bringing it firmly and soundly into the twenty-first century.
That has happened in a number of different ways. First and foremost, there are the many countless flavors of hummus that have made their way into grocery stores over the past several years. Red pepper hummus provides a slightly sweet and slightly spicy edge to the mild chickpea flavor. Flavor ingredients such as Advanced Biotech’s Natural Garlic Oil can be used for rich, spicy hummus flavors that appeal to the sensibilities of Western buyers even more than the original, slightly blander variant of the dip.
Playing into the growing popularity of Mediterranean foods and the number of people eating a more Mediterranean diet, many of the new flavor offerings available with hummus dips are inspired by this style of cuisine. Therefore, flavors such as pesto, Italian spices, and sun-dried tomato are all prominent features with these dips. The same is true with hummus flavors in other areas of the market, as well.
Though it is still primarily known as a type of dip rather than as a flavor in and of itself, hummus has begun to find a new home as a general flavor on products such as pita chips. This can be an excellent solution for the flavorist that is looking to meet the demand that buyers with modern, sophisticated palates have presented them when it comes to snack food products. Ancient though it may (or may not) be, hummus is receiving a modern day makeover that is winning over buyers in droves.