Chickpeas are ground with spices to create a delicious dip.
Hummus is a delicious Mediterranean appetizer. Traditionally made with dried garbanzo beans, or chickpeas, that have been soaked overnight, cooks today use canned beans to whip this dish together in minutes. The chickpeas are combined with garlic, lemon juice, tahini and olive oil and ground into a smooth dip. If your hummus comes out bitter tasting, the type of olive oil you use could be the problem. Some recipes can also call for roasted red peppers that can, depending on the variety, also add bitterness.
Instructions
1. Add more garbanzo beans or chickpeas while the hummus is still in the bowl of your food processor; process until smooth. Do not add more of any other ingredient, just the beans. Adding more beans will soften the bitter taste naturally.
2. Switch the extra-virgin olive oil with pure olive oil in your recipe. Extra-virgin olive oil has been processed more than pure olive oil, which can sometimes give it a bitter taste. Use the same amount of pure olive oil as you would extra-virgin oil.
3. Check the date on your tahini. Tahini is ground sesame seeds, or sesame butter. It has an expiration date which may be the problem. Buy a new jar and make your recipe over again.
4. Spice it up. A very popular addition to hummus is roasted red peppers, often packed in a vinegar and water solution. To balance the bitterness in the peppers, try adding spices like cumin, chili powder or smoked paprika.
Tags: pure olive, beans chickpeas, bitter taste, garbanzo beans, , , your recipe