Top 8: These shop-bought hummus meals are a taste of the Middle East
With a history going back at least five centuries, Egypt, Syria, and Palestine all make claims to its origin.
National claims aside, no one disputes that hummus is a Middle Eastern dish.
It gained popularity in Ireland and Britain, thanks to the efforts of Palestinian chef Sami Tamimi and Israeli-born chef Yotam Ottolenghi.
Together, they wrote the superb Jerusalem cookbook, a 2012 classic.
In the Middle East, a hummusia is a simple eatery specialising in mainly hummus of many varieties.
Our tasting for today revealed some variety, although not all of it was positive, with the term 'classic' being used somewhat loosely.
One had a form of broad bean protein added to make the classic 'high protein' - it didn't make the cut.
While olive oil is used in the best of them, in Middle Eastern homes, it's not always in the mixture but later drizzled over the paste, which is spread onto a plate.
An optional traditional ingredient is ground cumin, which adds richness. Rapeseed oil is often used in Irish products. Good as an import substitute, and cheaper too, but not for flavour.
All our samples pair well with fish and are delicious served in pitta bread with shredded lettuce, and tomatoes.
Izz Café hummus. Food pics: Dan Linehan
Izz café 290g €6.90 (€2.37/100g)
Palestinians Izzeddeen and Eman Alkarajeh's café and takeaway produce the benchmark hummus for our Top 8.
Rich. With a smooth texture, all the flavours of lemon, tahini, garlic, chickpeas and olive oil blend perfectly.
Sold with pickled vegetables and a very hot chilli dip, this was one of three favourites of tasters.
From the café on George's Quay, Cork. Keep an eye out for owners' events to support their home country.
Score: 10
Real Olive Company hummus.
Real Olive Company 360g €6.30 (€2/100g)
Slightly gritty with beautiful, genuine flavours, good quality olive oil heightens the deep flavour, while fresh lemon lightens it to provide balance.
Another favourite.
Score: 10
M&S Reduced Fat hummus.
M&S reduced fat houmous 230g €2.50 (€1.08/100g)
We compared this reduced-fat version (17.7% fat) to the M&S Creamy Houmous (27.2% fat). Both were delicious.
The main difference is that the reduced-fat hummus contains 1% olive oil, while the creamy version contains 5%.
Good to see no preservatives in either. The creamy one is a little richer, but both have natural flavours with lemon coming through nicely.
Score: 10
Quay Co-Op Traditional Hummus.
Quay Co-Op Traditional Hummus 170g €3.25 (€1.91/100g)
Quite a gritty texture with a welcome oiliness from the olive oil, providing a rich taste.
A hint of cumin, combined with a little pepper, works well. The preservative is potassium sorbate, which delivers a shelf life of six days from the time of purchase.
Score: 9
Classic hummus.
Classic houmous 170g €1.05 (62c/100g)
A mild, creamy hummus, with little taste of lemon. Fresh lemon juice would make it so much better.
Chickpeas (46%), rapeseed oil, 13% sesame paste (providing the typical nutty flavour), concentrated lemon juice 3%, garlic purée, salt 0.6%, with potassium sorbate as the added preservative.
Olive oil, which is more expensive, would make a huge difference. We bought it in SuperValu.
Score: 7.5
The Happy Pear hummus.
The Happy Pear Hummus 150g €2.99 (€1.99/100g)
Chickpeas (49%), rapeseed oil, tahini (15%), lemon juice concentrate, garlic (1%), salt (1%), making it quite salty, with heat provided by unconventional cayenne, softened by more traditional cumin.
The freshness of fresh lemon isn't there. Expensive for what it is.
Score: 7
Aldi's The Deli hummus.
Aldi The Deli Houmous 200g 75c (37.5c/100g)
Chickpeas (48%) and 13% sesame seed paste (tahini) and garlic purée deliver some traditional flavours.
However, rapeseed oil and concentrated lemon juice detract from the freshness and depth of flavour.
Salt at 0.65% is not overdone, potassium sorbate is the preservative. We missed the flavour of olive oil, but overall fair value.
Score: 7.5
Dunnes Classic hummus.
Dunnes Classic Houmous 200g 75c (37.5c/100g)
Chickpeas 53%, tahini paste 12%, rapeseed oil, lemon juice concentrate 3.5%, garlic 2.5%, and salt 0.52% make a simple hummus.
It would have been improved by olive oil and fresh lemon juice instead of concentrated, but it's fine for the price.
Try adding a tablespoon loosened with olive oil to salads as a dressing.
Score: 7.5
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