Dip Dip Hooray: Hummus Variations Across The Middle East
If you travel through the Middle East and ask a chef from each country where Hummus originally came from, they will all give you the same answer:
‘Here, of course!’
As confusing as this answer may be, it might hold a little more truth than you’d think…
In Arabic, Hummus is literally the word for ‘Chickpea’, so before we start our whistle-stop tour of the Levant we need to get one thing clear. There will be no pumpkin, black bean or *gulp*… chocolate imposters here – strictly the Hummus recipes you’ll see served up across the Middle East.
Now, (and we mean this sincerely) in no particular order:
Syria & Turkey
These neighbours are known for their Meze platters, bringing together a host of different dips, breads and appetisers. But the crown jewel of this Middle Eastern Smörgåsbord is the Hummus!
In Syria, Hummus Bil-Lahm is a common twist on the standard dip, served plain and topped with minced or shredded meat. Similarly in Turkey, this Meze staple is served oven dried and covered with cured beef coated in spices, called Pastirma – and no, that’s not a typo (although it is an anagram…) of Pastrami.
These meat-filled Hummus dishes are a hearty focal point of any Meze board in the region. So for all the carnivores out there who turn their nose up at the pulsed pulse, this is the Hummus for you!
Israel
Hummus is widely regarded as the unofficial national dish of Israel. Sold in specialty Hummus bars known as Hummusiyah’s, you’re never too far from a bowl of the stuff.
With a host of different recipes, Hummus Tehina is arguably the most popular in the country. This style really showcases the Tahini, making the rich sesame flavour stand out above all else.
Another Israeli take on the chickpea dip is called Jaffa Hummus. Named after the old port to the South of Tel-Aviv, this variation has nothing to do with its cake/biscuit namesake (another debate we will avoid for now). Rather, it is known for its lightly whipped creamy texture and nutty flavour.
Iraq
One of the largest Jewish groups outside of Israel is the Mizrahi of Iraq. But just because they hail from a different country, this doesn’t mean they love the beige stuff any less!
This group of Iraqi Jews is known for combining their Hummus with various toppings such as fried aubergine and boiled eggs. Just when we thought the dip had too much colour eh….
