Collectively Recess' Taste writers have mentioned the word hummus 10 times in their reviews this year. That made me wonder: Exactly what makes some versions of this collection of mashed chick peas, tahini and spices so good and others so utterly mediocre? Eight reviewers gathered on Sunday to answer this burning question, and the findings might surprise you.
Six different "brands" of hummus were tasted: Saladelia's, International Delight's, George's Garage's, Mediterranean Deli's, Athenos' store-bought from Harris Teeter and Arts Editor Vicki Kaplan's homemade batch. Testers rated the hummus on a 1 to 5 scale on four criteria: overall likability, spiciness, consistency and authenticity.
The Winner: George's Garage
George's hummus swept all four categories, garnering a 4.1 out of 5 in overall likability. Although the tasters rated it slightly on the thick side, all but two tasters agreed the spicing was near perfect.
The Runner Up: Vicki's homemade
While George's was the run-away favorite, the next four varieties placed anywhere from second to fifth in the categories - and Vicki's was no exception. The homemade batch received second in both spicing and authenticity, but only third in overall likability and consistency.
Third Place: Saladelia
My personal favorite received second place in overall likability but fell to fifth on the question of authenticity. Even high marks on consistency and spicing couldn't save my top pick from a third-place finish.
Fourth Place: Athenos
Despite a fifth-place finish in overall likability, the grocery store-bought brand still managed to achieve the fourth-place result. Athenos was bolstered by excellent marks for its smooth consistency and a decent finish in authenticity and spicing.
Fifth Place: International Delights
ID's hummus was certainly the most contentious one in the taste off. The only variety to score marks ranging from 1 to 5 in all four categories, International Delights was either loved or hated by the tasters. Its interesting blend of the normal ingredients plus yogurt and extra olive oil and spices seem to excite some and repel others. It also had the most liquid consistency of any sample tested.
Sixth Place: Mediterranean Deli in Chapel Hill
The hummus, which had tasted so good combined with the restaurants' spicy meat and falafel balls two weeks earlier, became tasteless and boring without its companions. Mediterranean Deli's was rated sixth in every category.
- Meg Lawson
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