25 BEST HUMMUS restaurants IN THE WORLD (ACCORDING TO AI (CHATGPT))

As we live in the age of AI - I thought I should ask ChatGPT what are the 25 Best Hummus Restaurants in the world... and here's the answers I got... ( See below)

What is interesting is that when one analyzes where are these restaurants located here's an interesting stattistic:

ISRAEL is the leader with 11 of the top 25 hummus restaurants in the world.

USA is second with 7 of the top 25

LEBANON has 4 of the top 25

EGYPT has 3 of the top 25

What does it say that Israel has almost half of the top 25 Hummus restaurants in the world? 

Moreover - what does it say about AI and especially about CHAT GPT's hummus choices?

Please share your opinions about:

1. Did ChatGPT give you the same list or did the list they share with you have different top 25 restaurants?

2. How come Europe, Asia and Africa don't even have one restaurant in the list of top 25 Best Hummus restaurants ? What about Turkey? What about Iraq, Saudia Arabia, Gulf Emirates?  Could it be possible that these countries with their A++ level restaurants and chefs don't have one restaurant in the list?

What is your best Hummus restaurant in the world?

Is there a new conspiracy theory brewing here amid the Hummus connosseurs worldswide?

Looking forward to hear your thoughts so the community can all share?

Are these the best hummus restaurants in 2025 - IS AI right?

Pinning down the “top 25 hummus places in the world” is inherently subjective, but I can share a strong, well–researched list of hummus / hummusiya (hummus-specialty) joints that are widely celebrated by food critics, locals, travel guides and hummus aficionados. If you tell me a region (e.g. Europe, USA, Middle East) I can narrow the list further.

Here are 25 outstanding places known for their hummus (in no strict rank order, but grouped somewhat by region):

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🌍 Middle East / Levant / Eastern Mediterranean

1. Abu Hassan (Ali Karavan) — Jaffa / Tel Aviv, Israel
   Perhaps the most legendary hummus spot in Israel. Wikipedia+3Wikipedia+3TasteAtlas+3

2. Azura — Jerusalem, Israel
   A classic “old-city style” Jerusalem hummus spot. TasteAtlas+2TasteAtlas+2

3. Lina Hummus — Jerusalem, Israel
   Frequently cited in lists of top Hummus in Jerusalem / Israel. TasteAtlas+2Two Paper Boats+2

4. Abu Shukri — Jerusalem, Israel
   Known for hand-prepared hummus in the Old City area. Wikipedia+1

5. Hummus Said — Acre (Akko), Israel
   A much-praised “hummusiya” in the northern coastal town. Tripadvisor+2ISRAEL21c+2

6. Hummus Haviv — Jerusalem, Israel
   Known for its “sweet hummus” variant with date honey. Two Paper Boats

7. Tahini’s Hummus — Jerusalem, Israel
   Known for offering free hummus refills, interesting toppings (green/red sauces). Two Paper Boats

8. Al Halabi — Beirut / Lebanon
   Lebanese sources often name Al Halabi’s hummus among Lebanon’s best. NoGarlicNoOnions+1

9. Fouad Massaad — Zahle, Lebanon
   A longtime traditional breakfast spot known for excellent hummus + ful. NoGarlicNoOnions

10. Baroud / Mazraani — Tyre, Lebanon
    Street / local style hummus & foul places that get high praise. NoGarlicNoOnions

11. Bayrut Street Food — Beirut, Lebanon
    Modern concept with a well-loved hummus offering. NoGarlicNoOnions

12. Abu Ghosh (Jawdat Ibrahim’s restaurant) — near Jerusalem, Israel
    The village of Abu Ghosh is famed as a “hummus capital” and the local hummus restaurant is deeply respected. Wikipedia+4Wikipedia+4katherinemartinelli.com+4

13. Hummus & Go — Cairo, Egypt
    A newer Palestinian-style hummus concept in the Cairo area. CairoScene

14. Fayruz Lebanese Restaurant — Cairo, Egypt
    One of the top ranked hummus places in Cairo per traveler reviews. Tripadvisor

15. AL Dabke — Cairo, Egypt
    Also among the top rated for hummus/Levantine fare in Cairo. Tripadvisor

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🌐 Global / Fusion & Modern

16. Bavel — Los Angeles, USA
    A modern Middle Eastern restaurant strongly praised for its hummus & mezzes. Wikipedia+1

17. Dizengoff — Philadelphia, USA
    A counter-service hummus concept by Michael Solomonov, offering several styles of hummus daily. Bon Appétit+1

18. Hummus Place — New York City, USA
    A dedicated hummus / Lebanese spot in NYC. Tripadvisor

19. Taboonette — New York City, USA
    A Mediterranean / hummus / Middle Eastern spot recommended by locals. Yelp+1

20. Ayat — New York / East Village, USA
    A beloved East Village Middle Eastern spot known for solid hummus among other dishes. Reddit

21. Tamam — New York, USA
    Another Middle Eastern / Levantine restaurant favored for hummus in NYC. Yelp

22. Taim Mediterranean Kitchen — New York, USA
    Known for bright, fresh Mediterranean / hummus offerings. Yelp

23. Onza — Tel Aviv, Israel
    Among the top picks in Tel Aviv for hummus per travel guides. Tripadvisor

24. Shlomo & Doron — Tel Aviv, Israel
    A multi-generation hummus shop serving both classic and creative styles. The Sweet Wanderlust

25. Ben Sira Hummus — Jerusalem, Israel
    Often named in TasteAtlas “best places to eat hummus” lists. TasteAtlas

Gegional breakdown of top hummus spots (or hummus-centric restaurants) from the the “top 25” and others, plus “must-visit” picks by area. Use this to plan your travels or pick which region to focus on next.

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📍 Regional Highlights & Must-Visits

Below is a breakdown by region with key hummus spots and recommendations for which ones to prioritize.

🇮🇱 Israel / Palestine / Levant

This region is the hummus heartland, so many of the “top” spots cluster here.

City / Area	Hummus Spot(s)	Notes / Why Go	Must-Visit?
Tel Aviv / Jaffa	Abu Hassan (Ali Karavan)	Often cited as the benchmark for hummus in Israel, with long lines. TasteAtlas+1	Yes, if you’re in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv	Shlomo & Doron	Multi-generation hummus tradition	Yes
Jerusalem	Azura, Lina, Abu Shukri, Ben Sira Hummus	Classic “old city” style offerings, with loyal local followings TasteAtlas+1	Yes
West Bank / Jericho	“THE BEST Hummus” (TripAdvisor listing)	For offbeat, local finds Tripadvisor	If you’re exploring the area
Abu Ghosh (village)	Local hummus restaurant by Jawdat Ibrahim	Hummus destination village	Yes, especially if exploring Jerusalem-area
Acre (Akko)	Hummus Said	Well regarded for its hummus in northern Israel	Good if you’re up north

🇱🇧 Lebanon & Surrounding Levant

Lebanese hummus is also highly regarded; many of these are in Beirut or nearby.

• Al Halabi (Beirut) — considered one of Lebanon’s top venues for hummus. NoGarlicNoOnions

• Fouad Massaad (Zahle) — traditional, longtime spot. NoGarlicNoOnions

• Bayrut Street Food — modern concept in Beirut with a focus on hummus & mezze. NoGarlicNoOnions

• Semsom, Abou Rami / Tik Tak, Al Soussi — other Lebanese names often recommended in hummus food guides. NoGarlicNoOnions

🇪🇬 Egypt & North Africa

While less dominant in the “top” lists, there are strong spots in Cairo and area.

• Hummus & Go — a Palestinian-style hummus concept in Cairo.

• Fayruz Lebanese Restaurant — praised in Cairo.

• AL Dabke — among top hummus / Levantine eateries in Cairo.

🇺🇸 North America & the Diaspora

Hummus has gained popularity worldwide, so here are standout diaspora / modern picks.

• Bavel (Los Angeles, CA, USA) — one of the most celebrated Middle Eastern restaurants in the U.S., with hummus as one of its marquee dishes. Wikipedia

• Dizengoff (Philadelphia, PA, USA) — a counter-service hummus concept (by Michael Solomonov) noted for serving multiple styles.

• Hummus Place (New York, USA)

• Taboonette, Ayat, Tamam, Taim Mediterranean Kitchen — all noted in NYC for strong hummus / Levantine offerings.

• Shaya (New Orleans, USA) — listed as a top hummus spot in New Orleans. Tripadvisor

🇬🇧 / 🇪🇺 Europe & UK

• In London, notable hummus / Levantine restaurants include Bubala and others (Eater London’s hummus map) Eater London

• L’As du Fallafel (Paris, France) — while more known for falafel, its hummus accompaniment is well regarded. Wikipedia

• Various Middle Eastern / Levantine restaurants across European cities may have standout hummus even if not “top global” names.

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📌 Must-Visit Picks by Region

If you’re planning a trip, here are “must-visit” hummus spots for each region:

• Tel Aviv, Israel: Abu Hassan (Ali Karavan)

• Jerusalem, Israel: Azura & Lina & Ben Sira Hummus

• Beirut, Lebanon: Al Halabi

• Los Angeles, USA: Bavel

• New Orleans, USA: Shaya

• Paris, France: L’As du Fallafel (for its hummus side)

• London, UK: any top Levantine / Middle Eastern hummus spot (e.g. Bubala)

Best Hummus in TEL AVIV's upscale neighborhood of Ramat Aviv - the Israeli equivalent to NYC's "UPPER EAST SIDE"-

THEY SAY TELL ME WHERE YOUR RICH EAT AND DINE &  I WILL TELL YOU EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR SOCIETY.

So today, I'd like to introduce all travellers to Israel to the Hummus some of the  upper 1% of Israel's wealthiest citizens eat near their homes in the Schuster shopping center in Ramat Aviv Gimmel.   Tel Aviv's version of  Manhattan's upper east side.

Back in the day there was a famous Israeli TV show called  by the same name - Ramat Aviv Gimmel - depicting the lives of the rich and famous living in this neighborhood. 

It was a huge hit in Israel and made this area  even more mythical and expensive.  

Back then, it made the local shopping center famous and there was always visitors from around the country sitting in one of the many coffee shops there and star gazing at  the many celebrities, famous politicians, artists, and CEO's doing business lunches and meetings there.

Some claim one can even see Quentin Tarantino around the neighborhood. It is a possibility as it's already well known that Tarantino moved to Israel and was living in Tel Aviv. So who knows...

But unlike Manhattan or anywhere else in the world - where it's easy to identify the upscale from the down and trodden neighborhoods -  just by the look of the local shopping mall - in Israel, just like in Israel - even in the most expensive neighborhoods - the local shopping center  is a weird mix of expensive stores surrounded by  Rot, Rust, and Mould . 

It's a dilapidated shopping mall that looks more ghetto than Gucci.

That is Israel in a nutshell - a country where chaos and ugliness is accepted  and everyone's fine overlooking the surrounding and focusing only at the reality they'd like to see .

Black walls and ceilings

Residents  pay anywhere from $1,000,000 for small apartments to over  $10 Million for a home nearbye - and yet accept this cockroach infested dilapidated shopping center under their homes.

Tel Aviv was named as one of the most expensive cities in the world - some say the most expensive and yet as crazy as the pricing of everything is  -  one gets so little for what one pays - be it horrendous decor,  awful service, and overall subpar standards of consumerism.

Is it just me or have  others  experienced that too in Israel and especially in Tel Aviv? Drop a comment if you too feel there's a problem with this Israeli horrid concept of getting so little for what you pay for...

I believe only by enough tourists and travellers finally saying enough is enough maybe things could start to change cause change is needed.

Israelis can't ask for a premium while giving their customers a subpar quality in return.

But philosophy aside- let's get back to Hummus.

Even in this  grungy yet expensive shopping center - In Gimmel, as it's called by the locals - there is some of the best Hummus in Tel Aviv as is expected in  Tel Aviv's shopping center for the rich and famous.

LOCATION:

The Northern part of Tel Aviv is called Ramat Aviv.  Gimmel is the third letter in the Israeli alphabet and Ramat Aviv Gimmel represents the third addition to this neighborhood - in essence it was perhaps the last and newest part of the city when it was built and so allowed new and modern high rises while the rest of the city had only older homes.

Today that is changing as new and even more modern high rises are being built all over the city - but the myth of Ramat Aviv Gimmel as a place of luxury and wealth still attracts a certain kind of residents to the neighborhood. 

Ramat Aviv Gimmel - for tourists wanting to visit it - is north of the older neighborhoods of Ramat Aviv which are home to  Israel's largest university - Tel Aviv U , as well as to many museums that are beloved by tourists like The ANU museum of Jewish People, The Steinhardt museum of natural history,   the Rabin Israeli  Museum and one of Tel Aviv's largest museums -   the museum of  Eretz Israel .

For tourists who are on their second or third visit to Israel - and they're planning a trip to the university or one of the many museums nearbye ,  Gimmel shopping center - could be a wonderful break to eat and get a sense of the weirdness of Israel from a less touristy point of view.

HUMMUS :

There are a lot of coffee shops,  high end bakeries and other food options for the locals.  So Hummus might not be the first thought on the minds of tourists visiting this area.

They usually go into one of the nicer ( if you can call it such) restaurants, pizzerias, French bakeries etc...

But the locals... they love their hummus as can be seen by the packed Hummus joints.

There are  3 places I'd like to recommend but things are extremely fluid in this shopping center. Rent is extremely high and many stores open and close just as fast including most of the restuarants there, so things might change also in the Hummus scene there from the time you read this to the time you actually visit this shopping center.

The three Hummus joints I'd like to recommend in Shuster shopping center - or Gimmel shopping center - as some call it - are : 

MIFGASH GIMMEL

CASPI

TZIPORA

Ask different residents and they'll swear only one of them is  great and the others suck. 

As someone who's eaten at all of these joints many times,  I can attest they're all really good, clean and recommended.

MIFGASH GIMMEL:

Mifgash Gimmel is the oldest and has been there for years. It's run by a few brothers that all work there  diligently  Some of the brothers are religious - so the place is perhaps the one that feels the most Kosher which it is.  It's probably the most successful of the three Hummus restaurants, as it's the oldest so the locals know and love it .

During lunch it's packed also with kids after school,  who's parents maybe sent them there to buy lunch when the parents didn't feel like cooking. It's kid friendly and has a lot of options for kids.

The owners are always on premise joking with the adults and kids and letting everyone test new dishes they've made in the store.

The joint has a 1970's feel to it - like the old Hummus joints of past. 

But don't let the decor fool you - this is a very high end food place run in the best of ways.

During the busy hours - there's always huge lines - but no matter how busy the place is - you'll get your food in probably under 10 minutes.

The Falafel is always fresh and people love their Shawarma.

They also have a large assortment of plastic boxes with homemade food to take home with popular dishes like Schnitzel ( Fried Chicken in bread crumbs) ,  Rice with lentils etc...

On Fridays, before the Sabbath kicks in, many residents rush to that place to buy fresh food for their family's Shabbat dinner.

They claim to make all the dishes in their restaurant. I've tasted a lot of their dishes and they do taste fresh and have a homemade taste to it - not like a generic supermarket made dish made in a factory.

The Hummus is very good. I won't stay outstanding but it's very very good.   Their Falafel on the other hand is outstanding. One of the best in Tel Aviv. Also, their Pita Bread is outstanding - maybe the best of the three restaurant joints in the Gimmel shopping mall and I've seen many residents sometimes just buy the pitas there.

Their falafel  in a pita is always super packed and you'll probably have leftovers to take home. Another thing I love about their falafel is that it's ALWAYS and I do mean always fresh. Even if you come in the hours between lunch and dinner when the place is relatively empty - they'll probably make you some fresh Falafel balls just for your pita so it'll be fresh and hot. I guess that's why they've managed to survive in this cutthroat shopping center where so many hundreds of small business owners came and went  not figuring out how to cater to the high net residents of this neighborhood  - These brothers  treat every customer like a king regardless how they come dressed. 

Mifgash Gimmel is near the supermarket and has seating.

CASPI:

Caspi according to their website was intended to be a local Hummus restaurant.  It opened it's first restaurant in 2011 by Chef Yaniv Caspi.

Since then they became a chain and now have 13 Hummus restaurants in Israel aiming to maintain a local vibe to their restaurants. According to some websites it's operated both by the Caspi family as well as by the Cafe Cafe group - which is a national chain of coffee shops similar to Coffeebean or Starbucks in the US.

If Cafe Cafe are still a partial owner it could mean there's a lot of money behind this chain as it's affiliated with a larger Israeli food corporation.

As Caspi have become a Hummus brand - it was only fitting they also open up a local Hummus restaurant in Ramat Aviv Gimmel .

Of the three excellent Hummus restaurants in the Gimmel shopping center - it is my number 3 option.   While I like it a bit less - I can't say it's not great hummus. It's still very high end hummus and if this was the only Hummus joint in this shopping mall I'd still highly recommend it - but in my personal opinion it's a bit less than the other two hummus restaurants.

That said - many local residents swear by this restaurant and love it and buy only  there a lot of Hummus for their home and lots of locals are always sitting there.

Of the three hummus restaurants - this one has a bit more of an upscale feel. Not sure why. All three still feel more like a small local joint than a full restaurant - but Caspi did make a bit more effort to make their place look a tad nicer.

Caspi  is trying to bring higher end Hummus to the masses via franchising so that's an interesting venture that could change the Hummus scene in Israel.

I guess a lot of people who've visited their other locations - feel more comfortable going back to the familiar taste of Caspi.

CASPI's Hebrew only website: https://www.kaspishuk.co.il/about

TZIPORA GRILL MARKET

Abba Ahimeir Street 29 Tel Aviv

Tzipora is one of the newer restaurants in the Gimmel shopping center so it's hard to say if they'll have any staying power.

According to their website - they are also a chain with 6 restaurants across the country.

Their other branches have nicer seating but Tzipora has glass casing so it'll probably be a bit warmer to sit there in winter.

I personally love their Hummus the most in this shopping center so I do hope they will succeed and stay as I do believe 3 similar and competing restaurants help all three stay relevant and supply the best customer service and give the most to their clients.

Tzipora based on research online is mostly focused on their Grill menu. They have a lot of options for meat lovers.

It seems they have deals with all the major local delivery services so I guess an important part of their business model is delivering food to the residents who don't feel like climbing down from their ivory towers and eat at the disgusting shopping center downstairs.

While they seem to be focused on meat - I've tried a bunch of their non meat items and I can attest it's all very high end.

GRADING:

All three Hummus joints are high end. Taste is subjective so I guess it's best to taste all three and make your own opinion. Share your thoughts if you've ever eaten in one of these.

In a random polling of my family - I loved Tzipora's Hummus the most. I think it's in a league of it's own. My sister and her family love Caspi the most and my mother and father swear that Mifgash Gimmel has the best falafel in Tel Aviv and are extremely loyal to it and so are also byassed about it's Hummus. So here you have it - even in one family - the reviews are mixed and different family members are loyal to different restaurants in the same shopping center.

MIFGASH GIMMEL: 8.5

Best Falafel in Ramat Aviv

Also, Best Pita bread

And Best Food for home takeout especially to feed kids.

TZIPORA: 8.5

Best Hummus in Ramat Aviv Gimmel

CASPi: 8.5

High end hummus chain with high end hummus that's destined to grow.

Best in person seating  in Ramat Aviv Gimmel if you want to sit on site and eat in a more restaurant feel.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

THEY SAY TELL ME WHERE YOUR RICH EAT AND DINE &  I WILL TELL YOU EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR SOCIETY.

A Wine Bar in Ramat Aviv Gimmel Schuster Center

Ramat Aviv Gimmel's Schuster center is Israel in a nut shell.

High end Wine Bars, French bakeries and expensive fashion stores docked amidst a run down shopping mall that looks third wall at best.

New generations of kids from the top 1% of society run around in this shopping mall and grow up learning to not look at their surrounding and focus only on the here and now and only on the little beauty tucked away amidst the ugliness all around.

A society cannot exist for long - if they accept ugliness as a way of life.

A society cannot exist for long if they accept that corruption is so deep that even the 1 percenters have a shopping mall they attend to that looks so awful and dilapidated and no one stands up against it.  Why don't the residents boycott this locale? Why doesn't the city force the shopping center to fix this eye sore?

A society cannot exist for long with generation after generation of people living without caring about anything going on in the streets under their homes.

A society cannot exist for long if the residents only care about what they'd like to buy next but don't care about the place that is their neighborhood, their childs growing up environment, their meeting grounds with their friends, neighbors, families.

And when you see that this is the shopping center of the 1% - this is the shopping center of the influencers, the thought leaders, the celebrities,  the CEO's, the doctors, lawyers, politicisans and ome of the most powerful people in Israel you ask yourself - what about the other 99% - How do they live? What do they accept as normalcy?  

You realize there's a problem under the surface of Israel that will probably eventually explode to the surface and who knows it's ramifications. Stay tuned.

BEST SUPERMARKET HUMMUS 2020 - HOLY HUMMUS!

There's a new king in supermarket Hummus in the US and it's... ( Drum roll) ... Holy Hummus.

WOWA WEEWA it is good. 

I bought it randomly in the supermarket in LA, one day when they ran out of the other bigger brands I tend to buy.

There's nothing very special or inviting in their packaging.  It looks like all the other generic supermarket Hummus brands -but wait till you taste it...

AAAAMAZING!

They have 4 flavors: Homestyle Hummus with olive oil, Jersualem with Tehina , Nazareth and Classic.

They're all really good. 

The best in my opinion is their Homestyle Hummus which has lots of chickpeas and feels coarse and fresh like restaurant hummus in the middle east.

Their second best in my opinion is Jerusalem Hummus which is much creamier and also excellent.

Their last 2 flavors are Nazarath and Classic. Two flavors that are still really good and no one will ever complain about - well no one except those that already tasted their Homestyle Hummus.

 The main difference between the four Hummus isn't that much the taste but rather  the texture.  While the Homestyle seems to be the coarsest, the Nazareth somewhat coarse and the Classic the creamiest.

For those who love creamy rather than coarse - you will find everything you are looking for in the Classic.

TASTE:

The hardest thing in making supermarket hummus is figuring out how to ensure it doesn't have that "plastic" aftertaste of preservatives and other ingredients which make it feel somewhat generic.

Some of the Hummus companies place a lot of garlic or garlic flavoring that hides the fake aftertaste, 

while others simply place more focus on texture than on taste.

To get additional flavors that taste a bit different and don't have the same aftertaste and garliccy flavor - some larger supermarket chains have started experimenting in recent years in distributing creamed veggies made from other ingredients not chickpeas yet still call it Hummus - even thought hummus based on my understanding has to be made from chickpeas.

It's like calling a butter made from Cauliflower - PEANUT BUTTER - knowing people prefer butter made from peanuts over butter made from Cauliflower.

Maybe Cauliflower cream is interesting - but peanut butter should be made from peanuts or it's false advertising.

Hummus is made from Hummus - i.e. chickpeas in Arabic and Hebrew. 

Because of Covid 19 - a lot of restaurants have closed and many people prefer buying supermarket hummus that feels safer and has less potential for Covid 19.

That's why it's super important to choose the right one.

It seems that Holy Hummus is still a small label and isn't available in many supermarkets and even in the ones it is available it tends to run out very quick as it's possible the word on the street has already spread about the uniqueness of this tasty hummus.

I purchased this hummus first time at the Israeli supermarket - Samy Makolet on Fairfax blvd in Los Angeles, CA . Sammy Makolet is one of the most famous specializing Israeli supermarkets and I understood it's also sold in the other famous Israeli supermarkets in LA.

Samy Makolet also tend to run out of it quite fast and I had to follow up to figure out when they get more supply to purchase more of it. 

From the Holy Hummus website it seems it's a NY based company so they might already be available to purchase all over the nation or at least in large cities from LA to NY.

Because of Covid 19 - I couldn't do blind tests with friends - but I did recommend they all purchase it and let me know their thoughts and they did - and they were all blown away by the taste that is quite unique for a supermarket hummus.

Bottom line - I hope with Covid 19 and the fact many people aren't shopping in smaller supermarkets only buying from large retailers like Costco, Amazon, Whole Food, Krogers etc ... that people will still discover this new company that is still mostly sold in smaller supermarkets and is mostly sold out.

Unlike the large Hummus brands - that tend to occupy the majority of the Hummus Fridge even in smaller specialized markets - this Hummus tends to hide in the corner.

If not for Covid and shortage of supplies - I probably would've never discovered this brand myself and stuck to the large brands I know.

I also hope this brand slowly make their way into the larger retail chains - cause their taste - is ready for the mainstream spotlight .

But as they make it to the larger retailers - I hope they will not compromise their unique and unbelievable flavor that tastes as good as many restaurants and will help educate Americans to the real taste of Middle Eastern Hummus.

Their website:

http://www.holyhummus.com/

Enjoy...

Who Makes The Best Hummus?

Bragging Rights: Who Makes The Best Hummus?

GREAT ARTICLE FROM TRIBEJOURNAL.COM  WE THOUGHT SHOULD BE SHARED:

Mar 29 2013

by Judy Zeidler

Richard’s Hummus, Lina Style. Photos by Dan Kacvinski. Food coordinated by Judy Zeidler

http://www.tribejournal.com/tribe-life/dining-in/2013/03/bragging-rights-who-makes-the-best-hummus/

Who makes the best hummus? Everyone in Israel is passionate about the taste of genuine hummus, and each individual believes deeply that his or hers is the best.

In Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, hummus remains a daily staple. Village streets are dotted with tiny shops that prepare hummus swirled in a brown-and-cream-colored bowl, drizzled with extra virgin olive and sprinkled with paprika or cumin.

Many cuisine-related sources describe hummus as an ancient food. The earliest known recipes for a dish similar to hummus bi tahini are recorded in cookbooks published in Cairo in the 13th century.

Hummus is a simple, wonderfully flavorful dip or spread made from garbanzos (chickpeas) and tahini (sesame seed paste). Its texture is velvety, rich and firm enough to scoop up with wedges of pita bread or crisp vegetables. The taste is robust, nutlike, garlicky and so satisfying that you won’t be able to stop eating it.

One significant reason for the popularity of hummus in Israel is the fact that it is made from ingredients that follow Jewish dietary laws, and it may be combined with either meat or dairy meals. It is seen as almost equally popular among Israeli Jews and Israeli Arabs, and as a result, hummus has become a sort of “national food.”

My prize-winning recipe takes as long to make as the time it takes to measure the ingredients and blend them in the food processor. For a change of color and flavor, I sometimes add roasted peppers when blending in the tahini, but the peppers are delicious on their own, too.

Some say that authentic hummus must be thick, so that you can carve deep valleys over its surface and fill them with olive oil. Then just tear off pieces of fresh pita bread to scoop up the pungent dip and pop it into your mouth.

Laurie Harris and Richard Hecht, who teach at the University of California, Santa Barbara, recently returned from four and a half months in Israel. While there, they were determined to enjoy every type of hummus they could discover. They sampled plates in Mahane Yehudah Market, the central shuk in West Jerusalem; along the pedestrian mall that is now Jaffa Road; and in shops in Musrara, not far from the city center and the Old City walls.

Hecht, who wrote “Abu Steve Is Coming Out of Retirement,” a small book about a man who opened a Jerusalem hummus restaurant, said, “Jerusalemites take great pride in the hummus at Abu Shukhri in the Old City. They will tell you that it’s a matter of minor gradations in taste — more garlic, less lemon. Hummus is basically all the same, but in Tel Aviv, they say the best hummus is at the very small restaurant Sultan, in the Arab town of Qalansuwa.”

The very best in Jerusalem, in the opinion of Hecht and Harris, is the hummus at Lina, a restaurant in the Christian Quarter of the Old City.

Hecht has his own ideas about what distinguishes top-notch hummus.

“It begins with the selection of fresh chickpeas in the shuk or market,” he said. “If you can’t find the fresh chickpeas, then use the dried.”

Still, no serious hummus connoisseurs would ever think of using garbanzo beans from a can nor use a food processor. True hummus is prepared in a large pottery cooking vessel with a narrow neck, over a low flame. The beans are stirred gently with a long wooden spoon until the right texture is achieved. Some use mortar and pestle to slowly grind the chickpeas.

Hecht also shares his special recipe for hummus and musabbaha, which is a breakfast hummus, served in the morning as we would eat hot cereal or cooked rice.

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JUDY’S HUMMUS

From “The Gourmet Jewish Cook” by Judy Zeidler

∗ 1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans, with liquid
∗ 1 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
∗ 1/2 roasted pepper (optional, recipe follows)
∗ 1/2 cup lemon juice
∗ 4 garlic cloves, peeled
∗ 1 teaspoon ground cumin
∗ 1/3 cup olive oil
∗ 6 fresh parsley sprigs, stems removed
∗ 1 to 2 teaspoons salt
∗ Minced fresh parsley for garnish

Place the garbanzos and their liquid in a food processor or blender; process until coarsely pureed. Add the tahini, roasted pepper (if desired), lemon juice, garlic and cumin; process until smoothly pureed. Add olive oil in a thin stream and continue blending. Blend in the parsley sprigs and l teaspoon salt. Add additional salt to taste. Garnish with minced parsley. Serve with hot pita bread and sliced vegetables, such as carrots, zucchini, mushrooms and jicama.

Makes about 3 cups.

Judy’s Hummus

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PEPERONI ARROSTITI CON ACCIUGHE (ROASTED PEPPERS WITH ANCHOVIES)

From “Italy Cooks” by Judy Zeidler

∗ 4 to 6 firm, crisp, red, yellow or green bell peppers
∗ 2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
∗ Olive oil
∗ 1 jar or can (2 ounces) anchovy fillets
∗ Parsley sprigs for garnish

Preheat the oven to 425 to 450 F.

Place a large sheet of foil on the lower rack of the oven. Put the peppers on the rack above, in the middle or top of the oven. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes or until the skin has puffed and darkened slightly on top. Turn each pepper over and continue roasting for 10 to 15 minutes longer.

Remove the peppers from the oven. While they are still warm, carefully peel off the skins. Pull out the stems and discard the seeds. Cut the peppers into segments that follow their natural ridges. Layer the peppers in a bowl with the juices, garlic and enough olive oil to cover. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. When ready to serve, arrange the peppers on a serving dish and garnish with anchovies and parsley. Or place an anchovy fillet in the center of each segment, roll up and place a toothpick in the center. 

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RICHARD’S HUMMUS, LINA STYLE

∗ 3 cups fresh or dry chickpeas or garbanzo beans, soaked overnight in water in a large pot
∗ 1 teaspoon baking soda
∗ 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
∗ 3/4 cup tahini sauce or paste
∗ 1 large garlic clove, finely minced
∗ 1 teaspoon ground cumin
∗ Salt to taste
∗ 1/4 cup lemon juice or more to taste
∗ 1/4 cup pine nuts
∗ 1 to 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
∗ 1/3 cup finely minced fresh parsley

Drain the chickpeas, cover with fresh water and baking soda, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, until chickpeas are tender, about 50 minutes. Strain and cool about 20 minutes.

Pour 2 cups of the cooked chickpeas into a food processor, reserving the rest to be used later for garnish and the Breakfast Hummus. Add 1/4 cup olive oil and slowly process the mixture, adding the tahini, garlic clove, cumin and salt. Add the lemon juice and the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil. When the mixture is smooth, remove from the processor. If the mixture is too rough, continue blending until smooth. With a rubber spatula, spread the hummus into a shallow dish in circular motion, leaving an indentation in the center of the dish.

In a small frying pan, lightly brown the pine nuts. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil into the indentation in the center of the dish. Place the reserved whole beans into the indentation. Sprinkle the pine nuts and parsley over the olive oil and beans in the center of the plate. Serve with whole warmed pita for dipping.

Makes 4 to 5 cups.

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MUSABBAHA (BREAKFAST HUMMUS)

Use the basic hummus recipe, but prepare the following sauce.

∗ 1 cup boiled chickpeas (reserved from Richard’s Hummus, Lina Style)
∗ 3 cloves garlic, minced
∗ 1/4 teaspoon cumin
∗ 1/3 cup tahini or more to taste
∗ Juice of 1 large lemon
∗ 2 tablespoons olive oil
∗ 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
∗ 1/2 teaspoon salt
∗ 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
∗ 1/3 cup finely minced parsley

In a small saucepan, combine the chickpeas, garlic, cumin, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, pepper, salt and chili powder. Simmer gently; do not boil. When the mixture is warm, serve for breakfast or pour into the center of the plate of Richard’s Hummus, Lina Style, and sprinkle with parsley.

Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

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Judy Zeidler is a food consultant and author of “Italy Cooks” (Mostarda Press, 2011). Her Web site is JudyZeidler.com