Road-test: Hommus

We ask the panel to test fave party fare - the chickpea dip.

Our taste testers

• Alexandra, 24, loves hommus and eats it once a month.
• Jessica, 23, considers herself a ‘heavy user’ of hommus.
• Joann, 41, only eats it at Lebanese restaurants.
• Jolanda, 36, eats yummy hommus made by her husband.
• Naomi, 25, eats hommus about once a month.

The contenders

Copperpot Mini Dips Hommus

Taste: Very mixed reactions – nutty, tangy, mild, “yummy” – everyone agreed to disagree.

Texture: Mixed reactions again: chunky, creamy, grainy or they simply loved it.

Comments: The only hommus with preservatives. Alexandra loved it, but Jessica wasn’t too impressed with the aftertaste.

Chris’ Lite & Fresh Hommus (46% less fat)

Taste: Chosen over Chris’ Hommus. Described as lemony, garlicky and nutty.

Texture: Most thought it was quite thick. Joann said it was “what you’d expect from hommus”.

Comments: Joann said it was “very nice”, Alexandra would eat it again, but Jessica said it was “neither here nor there”.

Black Swan Skinny Hommus (80% less fat)

Taste: Most thought it was very lemony or resembled mayonnaise.

Texture: The only one containing thickeners. Alexandra thought it was “perfect”, Jolanda called it “smooth” but Jessica felt it was “thick and gooey”.

Comments: The least favourite overall but Naomi enjoyed the flavour more than most.

Mum’s Choice Homous (Dip in a tube)

Taste: Everyone said it tasted lemony – a little too tangy for some people – but most would eat it again.

Texture: The most watery (because it’s in a tube?), but still enjoyed by all.

Comments: Jolanda’s favourite, she enjoyed the “balanced and real” taste but Naomi thought the lemon was too “overpowering”.

SSS Foods Traditional Dips & Spreads Hommus (100% natural)

Taste: The favourite (and also the most natural!). Tasted mostly like tahini and enjoyed by all.

Texture: Described as fine, smooth, nice and creamy, and having a really nice consistency. Jessica said it was “super-pureed”.

Comments: Naomi sums it up: “Tastes like hommus should.”

HFG comments

Look for a hommus dip that contains less than 900kJ per 100g, has a saturated fat content less than 25% of the total fat and has minimal amounts of sodium. Nutritionally, Chris’ Lite & Fresh, Black Swan and SSS Foods are all similar in kilojoule and saturated fat content. Despite being lower in sodium than Chris’ and SSS Foods, Black Swan contains added sugar. Taking into account nutrition and taste, we recommend Chris’ Lite & Fresh Hommus.