Baking Soda Is The Secret To The Creamiest Hummus Ever

Baking soda is a game-changer for achieving the creamiest hummus imaginable. This common kitchen ingredient plays a crucial role in softening the chickpeas, the base of any good hummus, ensuring they blend smoothly and create a velvety texture. The secret lies in its ability to break down the chickpea's tough outer skin, allowing them to cook more thoroughly and blend more easily into a creamy consistency. To harness the power of baking soda, start by soaking dried chickpeas in water with a teaspoon of baking soda overnight. This helps to kickstart the softening process. When you're ready to cook them, add another small amount of baking soda to the pot. As the chickpeas cook, you'll notice they become incredibly tender, making them perfect for blending. Once cooked, rinse them well to remove any residual baking soda taste. Then, mix them with traditional hummus ingredients like tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. The result is a hummus that is not only smoother but also richer in flavor, offering a delightful homemade alternative to store-bought versions. Embracing this baking soda technique transforms your hummus into a luscious dip that's sure to impress.
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How baking soda makes for creamier hummus

Baking soda creates an alkaline environment that elevates the pH levels of water, aiding in the breakdown of the natural pectin in beans. This process softens both the beans and their stubborn skins, resulting in an exceptionally creamy hummus. However, the advantages of baking soda don’t end there. It also shortens the cooking time for dried beans and diminishes the gas-inducing oligosaccharides, a type of prebiotic carbohydrate found in legumes.

While recipes can vary by region, the Israeli version of hummus is often regarded as the smoothest. Many Israeli recipes feature a higher proportion of tahini (ground sesame seeds) compared to chickpeas. Additionally, renowned Israeli chefs like Michael Solomonov and Yotam Ottolenghi have popularized the use of baking soda, typically around a teaspoon, to soften the beans and facilitate skin removal.

When preparing a batch of easy, creamy hummus, blend it for a longer duration to achieve the fluffiest texture. Enhance the flavor and texture with a garnish of crunchy, salty roasted chickpeas, a splash of fresh lemon juice, and a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil.

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