Just 15 years ago hummus was only a 5 million dollar industry with a smattering of companies, but today hummus dominates refrigerated flavored spreads.

Most people know hummus dip as hummus, but what they do not know is that hummus is the Arabic word for chickpeas. In Arabic the complete name is hummus bi tahini which translates to chickpeas with tahini.

A food similar to modern hummus dips can be traced to Egypts thirteenth century. Hummus has been in the American scene since the 1960s but just recently became popular due to the introduction of flavored tahini hummus dips.

There are many different flavors of hummus dips including roasted red pepper hummus dip, roasted garlic hummus dip, spicy hummus dip, lemon hummus dip, jalapeno hummus dip, pine nut hummus dip, sun dried tomato hummus dip, and even spinach and artichoke hummus dip.

Hummus dip recipes often include cooked mashed chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, salt, and garlic all blended together. Obviously for a roasted red pepper hummus dip you would add red peppers.

Recipes using hummus dips include pizza with a roasted red pepper hummus dip, nachos with a hummus dip, and even hummus dip mashed potatoes.

Hummus has healthy amounts of iron, vitamin C, and protein.

Hummus dips are a healthy addition to any meal or snack.