What's Hiding In Your Hummus?

Hummus is basically a food group around our house — it’s delicious as a dip, spread or just about any addition to a meal. Apparently, we’re not the only ones with an obsession: Global sales of hummus reached $780 million in 2019 and are projected to hit $911 million by 2024. That’s a heck of a lot of hummus!

Easy to make at home but convenient to buy, traditional hummus is made with chickpeas, tahini (a paste that’s made from ground sesame seeds) as well as spices and oil. 

And beyond simple ingredients, it’s the perfect balance of carbohydrates, protein and healthy fat, making it a satisfying and smart addition to any meal or snack. Our favorite combinations are topped onto a salad or toast or paired with crackers and sliced veggies.

While it’s easy to make hummus from just a few ingredients, some less-than-stellar ingredients sometimes sneak into store-bought hummus. 

Indeed, you might have read about a recent EWG study that found glyphosate — a herbicide used widely in conventional agriculture — in many brands of store-bought hummus. Alarming, yes, but the levels were varying and in general, opting for organic options will help you steer clear of this and many other chemicals inside. 

When you’re shopping for hummus in the store, watch out for artificial preservatives like sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate. Artificial preservatives are unnecessary, and we believe there are better ways to ensure that food stays fresh and safe. 

On a similar note, also watch out for Disodium Calcium EDTA, a chelating agent (substances that bond with minerals and metals to prevent discoloration) often used in hummus, dips and condiments. It’s highly processed and essentially acts as an artificial preservative.  

And to make sure you have nothing to worry about, look for USDA Organic — this symbol is the gold standard for clean label. Organic products are grown, raised and processed without the use of 700+ chemicals, like toxic and persistent pesticides and herbicides (including glyphosate) and artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. Organic products are always non-GMO and certified under a strict set of federal standards. (Learn more HERE from Organic Voices about the 700+ chemicals you’ll avoid when you choose organic.)

Ready to try making hummus at home? Here’s an easy homemade recipe from our Clean Council Member and nutrition expert, Kim McDevitt, RD, MPH.

Ingredients

1 15-oz can of organic chickpeas / garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

2 tablespoons tahini

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons lemon juice (or juice of 1 lemon)

1/2 teaspoon salt (or more to taste) 

pepper (to taste)

2 - 4 tablespoons water, or until desired consistency is reached. 

Directions

1. Combine chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, and lemon juice into a food processor. 

2. Start by pulsing ingredients so that the chickpeas start to break up and form together

3. Open to push ingredients off the side of the processor. Add 2 tablespoons of water, salt and pepper and blend until consistency becomes smooth. 

4. Check for taste and consistency, adding more water, salt or pepper if needed. 

5. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.