The Lebanon war of hummus

This article was copied from Ynet - Israel's leading news source affiliate of the largest newspaper in Israel:

http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-3794608,00.html

Hundreds of Lebanese chefs reclaim Guinness record with world's biggest hummus plate
AFP
Published: 10.24.09, 18:32 / Israel Culture
Hundreds of garlic-loving Lebanese came together on Saturday to make the largest hummus serving on the world's biggest plate, claiming ownership of the dish with a new Guinness world record.

The previous record was held by an Israeli company.

A Guinness representative was on hand to certify the record set by 250 Lebanese chefs and their trainees, who joined efforts to mix over two tons of the chickpea-based dip.


The Lebanon war of hummus
Hundreds of Lebanese chefs reclaim Guinness record with world's biggest hummus plate
AFP
Published: 10.24.09, 18:32 / Israel Culture
Hundreds of garlic-loving Lebanese came together on Saturday to make the largest hummus serving on the world's biggest plate, claiming ownership of the dish with a new Guinness world record.

The previous record was held by an Israeli company.

A Guinness representative was on hand to certify the record set by 250 Lebanese chefs and their trainees, who joined efforts to mix over two tons of the chickpea-based dip.

Under the watchful eyes of the adjudicator, they poured 1,350 kilograms (2,976 pounds) of mashed chickpeas and 400 liters (13,525 ounces) of lemon juice into the mega-sized pottery dish, cheered on by hundreds of onlookers.

The chefs gathered around their dish upon receiving the Guinness certificate and sang an a capella version of the national anthem before joining hands to dance the traditional dabke in celebration.
Organizers have hailed the event as "a patriotic event of national scale.

"El Hommos Lebnaneh (Hummus is Lebanese) is an attempt to break the current Guinness world records of hummus and tabbouleh, reaffirming the Lebanese proprietorship of these two dishes," said a statement issued by the industrialist association and food syndicate, which planned the event.

A battle over hummus and tabbouleh between Lebanon and Israel - two neighbors still technically at war - emerged last year and efforts have been underway ever since to clearly identify such dishes as exclusively Lebanese.

The official awards ceremony is set to take place Sunday evening, when Lebanon hopes to break another world record for the largest bowl of tabbouleh.

In August, the small northern town of Ehden gained an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records for producing the largest ever kebbe - a dish of minced meat and cracked wheat.


Photo above and it's copyright belongs to AP.

Hummus Pizza

Talk about Blasphemy. I noticed the world wide web is full of recipes for Hummus Pizza.
Hummus is room temperature and goes with nothing but Pita bread - so the idea of burining it in a Pizza oven is too wierd for me. But then again, maybe I should be more open.

Here's one of the most popular recipes that appeared in the top three of Google search taken from Family Oven website:
http://www.familyoven.com/offsite?r_id=20962&u=http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Hummus-Pizza/Detail.aspx

Submitted By: POODLEMOLUC
Photoabove By: LANEANN
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes

Ready In: 30 Minutes
Servings: 8
"This pizza uses hummus instead of the usual red sauce - a unique and healthy pizza for those bored with the traditional. Top with your favorite veggies and cheese."
Ingredients:
1 (10 ounce) can refrigerated pizza crust
dough
1 cup hummus spread

1 1/2 cups sliced bell peppers, any color
1 cup broccoli florets
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 475 degrees C (220 degrees C).
2. Roll out pizza crust and place on a pizza pan or baking sheet. Spread a thin layer of hummus over the crust. Arrange sliced peppers and broccoli over the hummus, and top with shredded cheese.
3. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until the crust is golden brown and cheese is melted in the center. Slice and serve.

Most popular Hummus websites on Alexa

Almost Yom Kippur Eve - The Jewish holiday of reflections. So for all our Jewish friends we decided to show respect by reflecting as well.
Checked on Alexa, one of the websites to check popularity of websites to see who are the top ten Hummus related links online and we're still not there.
So for all the fans out there- do let your friends know about us and do send us info about new Hummus eateries we should write about.
Hopefully soon our website will inch it's way to be in the top ten.
There is still very little Hummus reviews worldwide. The top ten related Hummus websites are mostly restaurants or Hummus manufacturers.

As for the top ten. Here they are:

* 1. Hummus Bros
hbros.co.uk

Mediterranean restaurant which claims to be the first eatery in the UK where hummus is used as a base for the main course. History, press, feedback.
o hbros.co.uk is not in the top 100,000 sites
o Rank: 1,918,011
o Category: Regional > Europe
o Keywords: hummus bros, hummus bros london, humus brothers special offer, hbros, humus bar restaurant

* 2. hummusplace.com
hummusplace.com

o hummusplace.com is not in the top 100,000 sites
o Rank: 2,064,760
o Keywords: hummus place, the humus place, humus retaurant upper east side

* 3. trainz.cz
trainz.cz

o trainz.cz is not in the top 100,000 sites
o Rank: 1,568,947
o Keywords: trainz csu, trs 2009, hummus trainz, auran dls, trainz.cz
4. sabra.com
sabra.com

o sabra.com is not in the top 100,000 sites
o Rank: 937,921
o Keywords: sabra, sabra hummus, colombe jacobsen, sabra.com

* 5. tribehummus.com
tribehummus.com

o tribehummus.com is not in the top 100,000 sites
o Rank: 1,055,301
o Keywords: tribe hummus, free t shirt, tribe, free tshirts

6. Summer Fresh Salads Inc.
summerfresh.com

o summerfresh.com is not in the top 100,000 sites
o Rank: 5,751,719
o Keywords: fresh salads, summer freshed, summer fresh salads, www.summerfresh.com, summerfresh

* 7. Vaření.cz
vareni.cz

Nabízí české i mezinárodní recepty v katalogu s možností vyhledávání, aktuální články o vaření, tipy a triky pro domácnost, gastronomický slovník pojmů, diskuze a možnost tvorby osobní internetové kuchařky z receptů.
o vareni.cz is a top 100,000 site
o Rank: 82,173
o Category: World > Česky
o Keywords: pangasius, recept, lasagne, musaka, chilli con carne

* 8. A Dreamer s Guide - Dream Moods
dreammoods.com

Dream Moods is a free online source in helping you interpret your dreams. Features dream dictonary, discussion forums and articles related to dreaming.
o dreammoods.com is a top 50,000 site
o Rank: 12,993
o Category: Science > Social Sciences
o Keywords: dream dictionary, dreams, dream meanings, meaning of dreams, dreammoods

* 9. חומוס להמונים
humus101.com

הכל על חומוס: היסטוריה, תרבות, ערכים תזונתיים, המלצות על חומוסיות איכותיות, וכמובן - מתכונים. איך להכין חומוס, מסבחה, טחינה, חומוס-פול ועוד.
o humus101.com is not in the top 100,000 sites
o Rank: 462,331
o Category: World > Hebrew
o Keywords: חומוס, humus recipe, מתכון חומוס, hummus recipe, אבו חסן
o From the site: Everbody in the middle east eat Hummus. Although considered an Arab dish, Israelis too consider it to be their national delicacy. In recent years, hummus has gone global, and you can find it anywhere in the world - sometimes reffered to as “Houmous” or “Humus”. This blog is about Hummus, regardless of sex, race, religion or color. It is about the love for Hummus and the things you can do with it - including making it yourself. ... More...

* 10. Coupons - Couponsurfer.com - Free Online And Printable Coupons For G
couponsurfer.com

o couponsurfer.com is a top 100,000 site
o Rank: 82,786
o Keywords: coupons for groceries, red lobster, free coupons for groceries, coupon surfer, free coupon
o From the site: Welcome to CouponSurfer.com - Just click, point and save - it's that easy! Our mission at CouponSurfer.com is to save you money when you shop by offering top brand-name deals and coupons as a free service for you. We offer hundreds of money-saving coupons for groceries, clothing, gifts, shopping, toys, travel, and lots more. ... CouponSurfer.com Offers 2 types of Coupons: 1. On-line Coupon - These coupons are used at On-line Stores like Buy.com, PETsMART.com, and others. ... More...

Muma - Melrose Hummus

Melrose used to be a trendy place in Los Angeles until several years ago when the Grove shopping mall opened nearbye and sucked out the life out of this hipster's paradise.
Many of the hip and fun stores closed and the street started looking more like a ghost street.
Even the Hummus restaurant there like Wholesome Pita closed.

Now a new attempt is being made to open a new Hummus place with a twist and being a huge fan of Melrose I went to this place hoping that indeed they'll nail it.

The place is called Muma and the interior design and the way they serve shouts FRANCHISE. They are trying to do to Hummus what Pinkberry did to frozen yogurt.

Unlike many of the other Hummus restaurants which look like a cheap low class rundown diner- Muma has a cool and hip look which makes the tiny place feel much more spacious and fun.

They have fresh vegetables and salads that are made on premise and have interesting options for the Hummus.

The Hummus itself is good and interesting.

Their Falafel is fresh and made to order and their Pitas are also fresh.

The place is still brand new and caters to 3 different crowds:
Orthodox Jews living nearbye in La Brea/Melrose area
Israeli's working on Melrose
Vegeterians looking for a fun and tasty place in the Fairfax district.
Hipsters wanting a fast and clean meal on Melrose after shopping there.

One of the things that always dissapoints me with new places is how fast they surrender to mediocrity after the first few month's of existence.
This place is new and the two charming and charismatic owners are working there hard to make sure the food is fresh and tasty and hot for every customer.
The fans have noticed their hard work and the place is full most of the day.
I do hope they will stay this way and not give up their desire to make the best Hummus on Melrose.

Muma's is aiming directly for the Chipotle crowd. Those wanting a fast meal in a clean place that's both tasty, fast and hip but also will give them a full meal for under $10. Chipotle seem to have a lot of repeat customers that come there almost daily to eat cheaply.
Time will tell if the same concept will work for Mumma.

As they are located so close to the ultra Orthodox Jewish neighborhood of La Brea and Melrose they will hopefully attract some of the same crowd that used to go to Wholesome Pita. But in order to survive in the competitive Melrose Avenue they'll hopefully manage to get the hipsters to adopt this place to.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this place.
It's inspiring to see young people try to bring new life into a traditional meal in such an exciting way and especially in LA which is such a hard town to bring anything new to.

I also hope they don't fall into the trap of a lot of middle eastern places that eventually try to hike up prices believing Israeli's, Jews and Arabs are suckers. They might be for awhile but eventually all places that had crazy prices for Hummus went under. Hummus and Falafel are the Pizza of the middle east and as such should be priced accordingly.
As their new competitor on Fairfax, Pita bar and Grill turned from a sweet darling to a disgusting, stale Pita serving, lousy Hummus making place in less than 6 month since they opened and also hiked up the price and so lost quite a few clients in the process - I truly hope this sweet new place doesn't look at the conduct of the current crop of middle eastern restaurants but rather at what it could become- the middle eastern Chipotle chain.

Good luck guys and may the force of chickpeas be with you.


Their info:
http://mumarestaurant.com/
7275 Melrose Ave
LA CA 90046
323-936-7697

Hummus on Google

One of the interesting things is to see the popularity of different Hummus combinations on Google.
Well, based on a quick research as of September 2009 here are the numbers: ( Thanks to Google Keyword search)


hummus recipe 90,500

hummus recipes 33,100

hummus dip 4,400

hummus 368,000

It's a pretty impressive number until you check on words like Pizza and Hamburger and are humbled.

Seems like Hummus still has a long way to go before it becomes a little more popular in the ultimate virtual world of Google.

The world never sleeps.