What Does Hummus Taste Like?
What does hummus taste like? Plain hummus has what is called an umami flavor. It has a creamy paste sort of texture that tastes rich and savory with a distinct garlic taste. While hummus definitely has a taste of its own, it is considered the perfect party food as it makes a great mild dip to eat with fresh veggies like red pepper and carrot sticks, tortilla chips, or pita bread.
You can also add different ingredients in order to change the flavor to suit your taste. Some popular additions to the traditional hummus recipe are:
- ground sesame seeds
- sun-dried tomatoes
- red peppers.
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What Does Hummus Taste Like?
A traditional hummus recipe tastes like a perfect mix of all of its ingredients. If you’re making hummus, be prepared to taste:
- Chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans)
- Minced garlic cloves
- Tahini
- Fresh lemon juice
- Salt
- Extra virgin olive oil
These ingredients bring so many different flavors to hummus that the final product has a savory, slightly tart, and garlicky flavor.
Please note, while your hummus should taste a little tart, it shouldn’t taste sour unless you add a lot of lemon juice. If your hummus is sour, it might have gone bad.
Here is a quick guide on hummus and the best way to make it, it will also tell you a bit more about its taste.
What Does Hummus Taste Like When It Goes Bad?
When it’s gone bad, hummus tastes sour. What’s the best way to tell if your hummus has gone bad before you eat it? Smell it first. Hummus that’s gone bad will also smell sour, while good hummus will be mostly odorless unless you add extra garlic or other ingredients that will give it more of a smell.
What Does Hummus Taste Like Without Tahini?
Tahini has a zesty, fiery flavor. When you eat hummus that has been made without tahini, you’ll notice a milder taste. The other ingredients will take over, and your hummus will taste more garlicky and savory. The fresh lemon juice that is used in most recipes will still give your hummus a tangy taste, not as much as traditional hummus that includes tahini.
What Does Chocolate Hummus Taste Like?
Chocolate hummus is a sweet hummus made from :
- Garbanzo beans/chickpeas
- Cocoa powder
- Tahini
- Sweetener
The result is a slightly nutty and chocolatey-tasting creamy paste. It is not completely sweet like other desert creams but is a mix of sweet and salty that many people love.
What Does Bad Hummus Taste Like?
Bad hummus is easy to pick out. The normal umami flavor that perfect hummus normally has is replaced with a sour taste and a matching sour smell.
Hummus that has been poorly prepared will also taste different than traditional hummus. If the ingredients aren’t measured or mixed together properly, it could cause an unbalanced taste that won’t be the same as perfectly prepared hummus. For example, it may taste bland if there isn’t enough salt, garlic, or tahini.
What Does Expired Hummus Taste Like?
Both store-bought hummus and homemade hummus will eventually expire. Once hummus has expired, it will start to taste and smell sour. Most homemade hummus recipes recommend keeping hummus sealed tightly and recommended only keeping it for 3-4 days. Pre-made hummus can last for up to a week before it starts to taste sour.
What Does Beet Hummus Taste Like?
The flavor and look of beet hummus differ from traditional hummus in a few ways:
- The taste is sweeter than regular hummus;
- The color is bright pink;
- Beets are the main ingredient.
Beet hummus has a much different taste than regular hummus, but it still has a salty, nutty, and sweet flavor combination that makes it a tasty, healthy food option.
What Is Hummus Supposed To Taste Like?
The best hummus will have a creamy texture and taste. Its flavor will be mildly salty, garlicky, and tangy due to the combination of wildly different ingredient flavors used to make it. If you notice your hummus tastes very different than this flavor profile, double-check if there are other ingredients in your hummus or if it has been stored properly and hasn’t gone bad.
Does Hummus Taste Bad?
If you’re interested in eating hummus, but you haven’t before, you may wonder if you’ll like the taste. Hummus can be an acquired taste, but it is a favorite snack for many people, especially when eaten with pita chips or pita bread. If you like savory foods, tangy flavors, creamy textures, and you don’t mind garlic, then you’ll likely enjoy eating hummus.
Why Does Hummus Taste Like Cheese?
Traditional hummus has a flavor that is described as “umami”, which can sometimes be associated with certain cheeses or cheese dishes. However, most people wouldn’t describe hummus as having a cheesy taste.
Certain hummus recipes for health-conscious people use nutritional yeast as an ingredient. Nutritional yeast is known to have a cheesy flavor which you will be able to taste in recipes that use it as an ingredient.
Is Hummus Good Or Bad For You?
Hummus is generally considered a healthy food, and it is a favorite snack or side dish among health-conscious people. While not only tasting delicious, it also has multiple health benefits and fits perfectly into a well-balanced, healthy diet. Hummus is a great source of:
- plant-based protein
- fiber
- healthy fats
- iron
- vitamin b
- numerous other vitamins and minerals.
Like most other dishes, however, it’s best to make sure you eat hummus in moderation, even if it’s your favorite food.
Summary
What does hummus taste like? As this article has described, if you eat hummus, you should expect a savory garlic flavor that is a little tangy and very creamy. If your hummus tastes sour, it’s likely gone bad and should be thrown out.
The taste of hummus can change a little depending on the recipe variation you use. You can make it sweet, spicy, nutty, or buttery. It’s a healthy snack that you can alter to fit your taste buds. Try a few recipes, and figure out which you like best!