We Tasted 9 Hummus Brands & This Is the Best One!
A staple in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, hummus is a protein-packed snack made with mashed chickpeas, tahini, lemon, and garlic. It can be garnished, of course, with things like olive oil, parsley, paprika, or spices before being served as part of a mezze platter (a small assortment of appetizers) or on its own with pita and vegetables. Simple, right?
OK, then. If hummus really is that simple, is it even possible for brands to mess it up? I sought out to taste as many different types of the savory spread on the market and see how they stacked up against one another. For the purpose of this list, I only compared classic hummus, but there are flavors galore out there. From roasted red pepper to even buffalo chicken, the range is massive.
I looked for hummus with a light and fluffy texture and that perfect blend of flavors. Here are the nine different hummus brands I tried, ranked from worst to best.
If you're looking for a good beer to serve with your hummus, check out: We Tasted 10 Popular Light Beers & This Is the Best
Cedar's Mediterranean Food Organic Original Hommus
Cedar's has a ton of name recognition, but I wasn't impressed. Not only was there some liquid floating on top that needed to be whipped in, but this hummus also lacked seasoning. Instead of the classic version, you might want to opt for one of Cedar's more flavorful options, like balsamic caramelized onion or smoky chipotle.
Roots Oil-Free Original Hummus
Roots has a whopping 14 flavors available—including both original and oil-free—so loving this brand would open up a whole new world of hummus. Unfortunately, it wasn't love at first dip. The oil-free hummus, while promising in name, doesn't deliver on texture or flavor. Rather than a nice whip, the hummus seemed compact and pressed down in its container with a thin layer of liquid on top. After a good mix, I got a taste of its overpowering cumin flavor. I do, however, have 13 more to work through when it comes to Roots, and surely there's promise there.
Good & Gather Classic Hummus
Target's in-house brand, Good & Gather, offers well-made foods and home goods at low prices. Are there better options available? Most likely. The same goes for this hummus. It's not bad! It's got a slightly gritty texture and packs a punch of garlic, neither of which is off-putting. Simply stated: It's good, but there are better options out there.
Sabra Classic Hummus
I like Sabra! It's got a yummy tang to it and tastes particularly good with salty pita chips or pretzels. It's only when you compare Sabra to other brands that you notice how extremely thick and dense it is—as though the supermarket keeps their fridge too cold. Of course, name recognition means something, and Sabra is just deliciously familiar to so many.
Holy Hummus Traditional Classic Hummus
Decidedly different than the others, Holy Hummus has a slightly sweeter flavor reminiscent of authentic hummus from a Middle Eastern market. My favorite thing about this brand is its texture and freshness. It's so light and fluffy and felt as though it was packaged five minutes before I found it.
Ithaca Classic Hummus
Friends could not stop raving about Ithaca hummus when they heard about this article, so I was excited to give it a try. At first taste, it's extremely tangy—thanks mainly to the cold-pressed lemon juice and vinegar. However, as you settle into this hummus, its freshness is obvious. The natural ingredients speak for themselves here.
Boar's Head Traditional Hummus
I know what you're thinking: Boar's Head, the brand best known for premium deli meats and cheese, makes hummus? As a matter of fact, it does—and it's awesome. The chickpeas, tahini, garlic, and olive oil are all blended perfectly for a well-balanced flavor. I could easily eat this entire thing.
Trader Joe's Organic Hummus
I'm always intrigued to try things from Trader Joe's. The retail giant has a cult following, and though it doesn't specialize in any specific type of product or cuisine… usually everything is good, if not decent. The store's hummus is neither good nor decent, but rather exceptional. Fluffy beyond belief and rich in tahini and garlic flavor, this hummus gets my stamp of approval. Plus, you can't beat the price point at $1.99 per container.
Sonny & Joe's Just Hummus Chickpea Spread
Easily, the best balance of flavor can be found in a container of Sonny & Joe's. This New York brand started in the early 1900s, and the family-owned business still manufactures its products in Brooklyn today. If you don't recognize it, that's because they only began distributing the hummus a little over a decade ago. The blend of tahini, lemon, and garlic is totally spot on. Plus, the fresh parsley on top makes it feel very gourmet. Sonny & Joe's, you've earned the top spot.
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