The Great Houmous Debate: What’s Really in Your Dip?
Britain’s love affair with houmous has reached new heights, with an estimated £170 million splashed out on the popular dip annually. Its widespread appeal has even seen it added to the official ‘basket’ of goods used to track inflation in the UK, a testament to its place in the nation’s shopping trolleys. This annual update offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolving consumption habits of Britons, with statisticians noting an increasing emphasis on healthier lifestyle choices, reflected in the growing popularity of items like houmous and non-alcoholic beverages.
At its core, houmous is a delightful blend of cooked chickpeas, olive oil, tahini (sesame seed paste), garlic, cumin, lemon, and salt. This simple yet flavourful combination offers a wealth of health benefits. Chickpeas, the star ingredient, are a nutritional powerhouse, packed with protein and fibre. This fibre is crucial for maintaining good digestive health, helping to regulate blood sugar levels, and contributing to lower cholesterol. Furthermore, chickpeas are a valuable source of iron and other essential minerals.
However, not all houmous is created equal when it comes to nutritional value. An investigation into 13 supermarket varieties from major retailers like Morrisons, ASDA, and Tesco revealed a stark difference in authenticity. Astonishingly, only two brands – those from the more discerning middle-class favourites, Waitrose and Marks & Spencer – adhered to a more traditional recipe. The remaining products were found to be bulked out with cheaper oils and preservatives, with some even boasting a ‘drizzle’ of extra virgin olive oil while secretly incorporating less desirable oils like rapeseed.
The Rise of Processed Houmous
Nutritionists are sounding the alarm about this shift away from traditional recipes. Paul Evans, a member of the Nutritionist Resource, explains, “Many supermarket houmous products have moved away from the traditional recipe. In more processed versions, extra virgin olive oil is often replaced with cheaper oils such as sunflower or rapeseed oil, primarily to reduce costs and extend shelf life.”
While these alternative oils are not inherently harmful, they are typically more refined and lack the beneficial compounds, such as polyphenols, found in extra virgin olive oil. Consumers might also notice the addition of preservatives or acidity regulators in these products. While deemed safe, their presence signals a more processed item designed for longevity rather than the simplicity of its origins.
Evans offers a practical tip for consumers: “For consumers, a good rule of thumb is to look for shorter ingredient lists with recognisable, whole-food ingredients, and ideally extra virgin olive oil. Products that stay closer to the traditional recipe are generally a better reflection of both the original food and its nutritional quality.”
Unpacking Supermarket Houmous: The Good, The Bad, and The Processed
To shed light on what’s really in our tubs of houmous, a closer look at some of the most popular supermarket offerings reveals the surprising extent of ingredient variations.
Houmous Falling Short of the ‘Real Deal’
These houmous varieties have been flagged for containing sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, or preservatives, which nutritionists argue deviate from the simple, traditional ingredient list.
Registered nutritionist Alexa Mullane elaborates, “Not all houmous is created equal. Most of the ones found in supermarkets use cheaper ingredients like rapeseed oil or sunflower oil, whereas traditional houmous is made with olive oil which not only tastes better but it also has a better nutritional profile. Many supermarkets also use preservatives like potassium sorbate in their products. They are generally recognised as safe but emerging evidence points to a link with allergic reactions and reduced bacterial diversity in the gut.”
ASDA Classic Houmous 200g
- PRICE: £1.40
- INGREDIENTS: Cooked Chickpeas (49%) [Chickpeas, Water], Water, Rapeseed Oil, Sesame Seed Paste (13%), Concentrated Lemon Juice (3%), Garlic Purée, Salt, Preservative (Potassium Sorbate)
Exceptional by ASDA Velvet Houmous 175g
- PRICE: £2.72
- INGREDIENTS: Cooked Chickpeas (45%) [Chickpeas, Water], Water, Sesame Seed Paste (17%), Extra Virgin Olive Oil (4.8%), Concentrated Lemon Juice, Rapeseed Oil, Roast Garlic Purée, Salt, Onion Powder, Cumin Powder, Preservative (Potassium Sorbate)
Tesco Houmous 200g
- PRICE: £1.30
- INGREDIENTS: Cooked Chickpeas (41%) [Water, Chickpeas], Rapeseed Oil, Water, Tahini Sesame Seed Paste (12%), Concentrated Lemon Juice, Garlic, Salt
Waitrose Essential Houmous 300g
- PRICE: £1.85
- INGREDIENTS: Cooked chickpeas (47%) (water, chickpeas), water, rapeseed oil, tahini (12%) (sesame seed paste), concentrated lemon juice, garlic, salt.
- A Waitrose spokesperson commented, “We aim to offer great quality and value – and these products are among our customers’ favourites. Food lovers wanting a pure Olive Oil based product can choose our Waitrose No 1 Houmous.”
Sainsbury’s Houmous 200g
- PRICE: 99p
- INGREDIENTS: Cooked Chickpeas (52%) (Water, Chickpeas), Water, Tahini Sesame Seed Paste (13%), Rapeseed Oil, Concentrated Lemon Juice, Salt, Garlic, Preservative: Potassium Sorbate
Morrisons Savers Houmous
- PRICE: 95p
- INGREDIENTS: Cooked Chickpeas (Water, Chickpeas), Water, Rapeseed Oil, Tahini Sesame Seed Paste, Concentrated Lemon Juice, Garlic, Salt, Preservative (Potassium Sorbate)
Sainsbury’s Extra Smooth Houmous, Taste the Difference 170g
- PRICE: £3.25
- INGREDIENTS: Cooked Chickpeas (45%) (Water, Chickpeas), Rapeseed Oil, Tahini Sesame Seed Paste (13%), Whole Chickpeas, Water, Extra Virgin Olive Oil (7%), Concentrated Lemon Juice, Garlic, Salt
Ocado Houmous
- PRICE: £1.40
- INGREDIENTS: Cooked Chickpeas (68%) [Water, Chickpeas], Rapeseed Oil, Tahini (7%) [Sesame Seed Paste], Water, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Garlic Purée, Salt, Preservative (Potassium Sorbate)
Morrisons Classic Houmous 200g
- PRICE: £1.35
- INGREDIENTS: Cooked Chickpeas (Water, Chickpeas), Tahini Sesame Seed Paste, Rapeseed Oil, Concentrated Lemon Juice, Water, Garlic, Salt, Preservative (Potassium Sorbate)
Iceland Houmous 200g
- PRICE: £1.85
- INGREDIENTS: Cooked Chickpeas (47%) (Chickpeas, Water), Rapeseed Oil, Sesame Seed Paste (13%), Water, Concentrated Lemon Juice (3%), Garlic Purée, Salt, Preservative: Potassium Sorbate)
The ‘Real Deal’: Higher Quality Ingredients for a Better Dip
Nutritionist Alexa Mullane identifies the top contenders for health-conscious consumers: “The two healthiest houmous options in my opinion are Waitrose own made with extra virgin olive oil and M&S Extra Smooth. These both contain extra virgin olive but also contain no preservatives or acidity regulators.”
However, she notes, “These are also two of the most expensive out of all the supermarket houmous offerings (because they’re using better quality ingredients).” For those seeking a more budget-friendly option, Mullane suggests choosing houmous with rapeseed oil, as it offers a better omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid ratio.
Ultimately, Mullane reassures consumers that moderation is key: “If you’re eating moderate amounts of houmous and also including lots of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet (for example from oily fish), as part of a varied diet rich in fruit and vegetables, then eating houmous with seed oils and preservatives won’t do you any harm. Good health isn’t about one specific food; it’s about the culmination of all your food and lifestyle choices.”
Waitrose Extra Virgin Olive Oil Houmous 200g
- PRICE: £1.85
- INGREDIENTS: Cooked chickpeas (42%) (water, chickpeas), water, tahini (13%) (sesame seed paste), extra virgin olive oil (12%), rapeseed oil, concentrated lemon juice, salt, garlic
Waitrose No.1 Extra Virgin Olive Oil Houmous 170g
- PRICE: £2.95
- INGREDIENTS: Cooked chickpeas (42%) (water, chickpeas), extra virgin olive oil (24%), water, tahini (13%) (sesame seed paste), concentrated lemon juice, salt, garlic
M&S Collection Extra Smooth Houmous 170g
- PRICE: £3.15
- INGREDIENTS: Cooked Chickpeas (46%) (Water, Chickpeas), Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Tahini (Sesame Seed Paste) (11%), Water, Concentrated Lemon Juice, Garlic, Salt
