Lebanese Hummus in Tel-Aviv

During the recent “Hummus War” most Israelis were less worried about who wins and mainly became curious about how the Lebanese version of the dish tastes. And so, Lebanese hummus places in Tel-Aviv seem to do very well these days.

Some 120 years ago, my great grandfather, Zeev, found love in Lebanon. He married my great grandmother,  Mathilda, and took her back to his hometown, Sefad. That’s only one eighth of my blood, but that’s a very important eighth.

So when people ask me what my family origins are, I tell them “from Sefad” but that I have some Lebanese origins as well.

Topographically speaking, the mounts of Galilee (in the north of Israel) and a large part of Lebanon, are one geographical entity. There’s a natural resemblance in the foods and food culture of the two places, which were also both under the strong influence of Syria and the great Ottoman empire for hundreds of centuries.

So, I’m not surprised that every time I taste Lebanese hummus – or one the is said to be that – it tastes different. I think that like Israeli/Palestinian hummus, there’s no one single recipe but numerous genres and dialects, that tell a glorious story that is old – but sure is kicking.

Lebanese hummus in Tel-Aviv

Most Israelis I know did not take the hummus war with Lebanon too seriously. If anything, the discussion over this alleged rivalry has made the hummus enthusiasts is Israel more curious about the Lebanese version of the dish. Read more

November 27, 2010 | Filed Under World of Hummus | 4 Comments