Hummus combines mashed chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic.
Hummus is a savory dip or spread whose core ingredients are cooked and mashed chickpeas and tahini, a paste made from sesame seeds. Lemon juice, garlic, salt, and olive oil are frequently included. It is commonly eaten with flatbread and may appear at breakfast, as part of a mezze spread, or alongside other meals.
The dish is especially associated with the Levant and broader Middle Eastern cuisine. Its precise origin is debated because chickpeas, sesame, and related preparations have been used in the region for centuries. Medieval Arabic cookbooks contain recipes for chickpea-and-tahini dishes, although historical versions do not always match modern hummus.
Hummus is often confused with baba ganoush, which is based on roasted eggplant, and falafel, which consists of seasoned ground legumes shaped and fried. Hummus remains a smooth spread rather than a fried patty.