Hummus dips and spreads are the latest health food craze sweeping the nation. This food, made from ground chickpeas, is popular as a dip and a spread and comes in a variety of flavors. But do you know where hummus came from or how it became so popular? If not, then check out these five fun facts about hummus dips below: 1. Hummus is made from chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans. Chickpeas were brought to the Middle East by the ancient Phoenicians. That means they began cultivating this legume, or bean, about 7,000 years ago! Hummus and chickpeas have a long history in the Middle East, and chickpeas are commonly used in dishes all across the Near East and the Mediterranean. 2. Hummus literally means “chickpeas”–that’s the Arabic word for them. In America and many other Western countries, we simply know the

The popularity of Hummus spread has enjoyed considerable growth in the United States over the last couple of decades. Although it’s been popular within certain circles for many years, you have probably noticed new varieties of hummus spreads and dips popping up on supermarket shelves. While many Americans are yet to discover even the most basic varieties of hummus spread, hummus has been a staple food in the Middle East for centuries. Even though the exact time frame is uncertain, we do know that ancient Middle Eastern people were the first to discover that they could create a tasty and satisfying food by combining mashed chickpeas with edible spices and oils. Since chickpeas are the considered to be one of the first legumes to be cultivated, it is possible that hummus has been around for more than 5,000 year