What to eat in Israel | A Bowl of Delicious Hummus and Warm Pita for Dipping

Israelis, Palestinians, Egyptian Arabs, Greek and other Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries all claim hummus as “their own dish”. No one really knows for sure the origin of hummus.

Hummus is a creamy dip typically made with a blend of chickpeas and tahini, a paste made of ground sesame seeds, and then olive oil, salt, lemon juice and garlic are all added on top. Chickpeas were known to be cultivated in the Mediterranean. They were one of the earliest crops and people in the Middle East have eaten chickpeas since ancient times.

Different culture has their own twist on the hummus recipe and their own way to indulge in hummus. In Israel, fresh hummus is smooth and fluffy, made with a lot of tahini. Israel locals “wipe” hummus with fresh pita. Hummus in Israel is not an appetizer; it is usually a meal on its own.

Tourists to Israel know that no visit is complete without eating plenty of hummus. Hummus is eaten almost daily – you will find it in most of the Israeli sandwiches and pitas. The important part of hummus is using good quality ingredients and making it from scratch, resulting in a wholesome hummus that is rich in protein, iron, vitamin C, vitamin B6, fibre and potassium. It is a delicious dip that is enjoyed by all cultures.

While we wait to travel to Israel soon to enjoy the good, fresh hummus, we can treat ourselves to a hearty hummus meal at Pita Bakery, Israeli cuisine at Miznon Singapore or “hummus in the pan” at Dewgather Café. Perhaps you can try to make homemade hummus on your own. For those who have it convenient and quick, you can find ready-made hummus in our supermarkets. Bon Appetite!

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