Let’s be honest: no snack plate or platter is truly complete without a generous dollop of hummus! While it’s easy to make your own, store-bought hummus is the ultimate snack hack for a quick, convenient and nutrient-rich dip.
READ: Expert tips for making creamy hummus plus flavour variations to try
But the potential of hummus doesn’t stop at snacks. You can spread it on your favourite sandwich instead of mayo or add a dollop to avocado toast for a delightful pairing with dippy eggs. The possibilities are endless, making this humble dip a versatile and sought-after item.
As the popularity and demand for hummus have increased in South Africa, the variety of store-bought options has expanded. So, we decided to try a range of hummus brands readily available at local supermarkets across SA to determine which one came out on top.
We evaluated factors such as smoothness, creaminess, and which brands offered well-seasoned hummus with a delightful blend of tahini, lemon juice and garlic.
Results
All four brands offered seriously good store-bought hummus options, and the results were remarkably close, especially between the first and second spots, with mere decimals separating them.
Each hummus brand delivered a unique flavour profile, but it was evident from the results that the tasting teams leaned more toward a hummus with a zesty lemony citrus pop.
1. SPAR Hummus
This sample was smooth and creamy, but what earned it the most praise was the fresh lemony kick it delivered! It was invigorating and well-balanced, with most tasters declaring it their favourite.
Regarding texture, some felt it could have been slightly thicker, with comments like, “This one is my current favourite because it has depth of flavour, but I wouldn’t rate it 10/10 due to its slightly thin texture.” Others said, “I really liked how lemony this one is – delicious. It’s perhaps a little thin in texture but really good.”
Other comments from tasters included: “Best sample, this one is my favourite. I like the lemon juice coming through,” and “This was the clear winner for me. It had really nicely balanced flavours – a little sweetness, saltiness. Delicious!” and “Nice and punchy with a hint of sharpness. Pretty good.”
This particular sample was purchased at the Deli counter at SPAR in Sea Point. Since this hummus was made in-house at the SPAR in Sea Point, other SPAR locations may have slight variations in flavour and texture.
Cost: R18.99 for 180g
2. Mediterranean Delicacies Deluxe Hummus
If you’re seeking a luxuriously thick hummus with a rich cumin flavour, Mediterranean Delicacies should be your go-to store-bought hummus! While it’s a bit pricier, it was delicious and, much like the SPAR sample, very well received.
Tasters noted that this sample was well-balanced and not just creamy but super creamy!
Comments from tasters included: “The second-best hummus; I loved the blend of flavours,” and “A decent hummus – but it didn’t have the ‘lick-the-spoon’ quality of sample C [SPAR],” and “Really good. The cumin comes through nicely in this one, and there’s subtle tahini. Really delicious, actually,” and, finally, “My favourite sample had a balanced flavour, perfectly seasoned, and also creamy.”
Cost: R44.99 for 190g
3. Woolworths Hummus
Tasters found this sample to be wonderfully creamy. However, compared to the other hummus brands, some tasters found it utterly delicious, while others considered it a bit bland. This divided the tasters somewhat and ultimately affected the overall score of this sample.
Comments from tasters included: “I really enjoyed this one. It was super creamy, and the garlic isn’t overpowering. I think this is a really good one, maybe even my favourite,” and “A little bland,” and “Not super fragrant, nice flavour, but has a canned chickpea aftertaste.”
Cost: R36.99 for 180g
4. Checkers Deli Hummus
Tasters found this sample to be slightly less smooth and creamy compared to the other samples. They also noted that this sample was quite heavy on garlic, so if you’re a garlic enthusiast, this hummus would definitely hit the spot for you!
Some tasters loved the garlickiness, noting, “Decent flavour, and I loved that it definitely had garlic,” while others found it to be overpowering, saying, “It tasted quite garlicky, but I would say it’s a good hummus. Maybe not that creamy – so marked down a bit on that, and I find the garlic overpowering.”
Other comments from tasters included: “I found this hummus too salty and garlicky. When comparing it with the other samples, it was my least favourite. It left an unpleasant aftertaste,” and “Tastes good,” and “Slightly bitter aftertaste, uneventful.”
Cost: R34.99 for 125g
Prices correct at time of publishing. Food24 is not affiliated with any retailer or specific branch, and products may differ from store to store.
Click here to see more Food24 Taste Tests!
The rules of Food24 Taste Tests:
– All tasters tasted and scored all samples. Each individual taster’s preference impacts the score they give.
– The samples were tested without packaging and were not easily identifiable.
– The samples were not labelled and were tasted in random order.
– This article is not sponsored in any way, and Food24 was not paid to come to any particular result.
Our taste tests are always unbiased and intended for your information. You may, however, have come to this article through various paid-for advertising.