Low Carb Hummus or Hommus: Costco Versus Trader Joe

I had glanced at Hommus before and thought it was fairly high carb so I didn't pick any up.  I really didn't like the taste and I never bought it before I low carbed, so I didn't think of it as a loss.

Well, that was before a Costco taste tester got hold of me.

They were showcasing Hannah's Roasted Peppers & Jalapeno Hommus with crackers. I ate a small piece of cracker, but it was the hommus that was fabulous! Spicy and full bodied, nothing like other hommus I had tasted. I immediately bought a 32 oz. container, and I've already been back to buy another one.

In fact, we ran out and I wanted people to try it for Thanksgiving but I couldn't get over there so I tried Trader Joe's to see if they had something similar closer to home. Trader Joe's has their own brand of Chipotle Pepper Hummus in a 8 oz. container for $1.79. Frankly, there is no comparison to the Costco version -- the Costco version is that much better. (I was very surprised!) And ounce for ounce, the Costco version is cheaper.

However, you have to eat the Costco version with the Trader Joe Soy & Flaxseed low carb chips!

Hommus or Hummos Nutrition Facts

	Costco: Hannah Roasted Peppers & Jalapeno Hommus	Trader Joe's: Chipotle Pepper Hummus
Serving Size	2 Tbsp (28g)	2 Tbsp (28g)
Calories	70	50
Total Fat	5g	3g
Saturated Fat	.5g	0g
Cholesterol	0g	0g
Sodium	120mg	75mg
Total Carbohydrates	5g	5g
Dietary Fiber	1g	1g
Sugars	0g	1g
Protein	1g	1g
Ingredients	chick peas, tahini (crushed sesame seeds), canola oil, water, anaheim peppers, roasted red pappers, garlic scallions, jalapenos, extra virgin olive oil, citric acid, sea salt, spices, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate (to perserve freshness)	chick peas, roasted red peppers, sunflower oil/olive oil blend, tahini, roasted poblano peppers, lemon concentrate, chipotle peppers, spices, sea salt

Comments

[Maria]

I came across this comparison because I tasted some Costco hummus the other day that was out of this world... Well, upon reading the ingredient list, it's obvious that the citric acid in the Costco hummus is probably the flavor enhancer. Citric acid almost always contains MSG in its processing (www.truthinlabeling.org), and since MSG is a flavor enhancer - voila! So as good as it was, I think I'll stick to the less flavorful but more natural products ;) Thanks for posting the ingredients list - it was exactly what I was searching for -

[Kellie]

Yes I am glad you posted the ingredients list as well because they have many things in them not so healthy for you (sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate), as well as oils that are not the best. I will get Trader Joes brand sometimes, but often I make it myself.

I would encourage all of you to just make this at home. It freezes well and is SO easy to make in your food processor (my kids even make this, its one of their number one snacks for summer). See recipe below. All the ingredients can be found at most good supermarkets. Furthermore you can use 100% virgin olive oil instead of safflower or canola, improving the taste and the nutritional quality of the finished product.

Roasted Pepper Hummus
15 oz drained canned chick peas
1 or 2 roasted poblano pepper (you may want more)
1 fresh jalapeno chili pepper (or your choice of fresh pepper, I like hot peppers)
6 tablespoons tahini
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves crushed garlic
2 tbsp fresh cilantro
3/4 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon cumin
pinch cayenne pepper
Sea Salt to your taste

Grind it all together in the food processor. Taste and add salt as needed. If you need to add liquid you can use more oil, lemon juice or water. I do not use the chick pea juice because I am sure it is loaded with starch, since the peas were soaking in it.

I serve this in small, individual salsa cups; I put a big dollop of Hummus in the bowl (about 2 or 3 big tablespoons), then make an indentation in the dollop and drizzle good olive oil on top, and garnish with fresh parsley and roasted sesame seeds. I store any left over in small containers and freeze it, that way I never eat too much, its not low carb if you eat the whole batch! When I make this make this I also serve toasted low carb pita bread. I use a pizza cutter and separate and divide the pita into 8 pie-shaped slices, then brush with a little olive oil and Cajun spice and toast them for a few minutes, watch it they burn fast!
Ok I am hungry now…..

[Myron Domsky]

The Costco Hannah Hummus with jalapeno is the only hummus that is tasty. It is so superior to the other brands that it defies comparison.

[liz]

Are you kidding!
First off, citric acid is NEVER used because they are looking for a way to put some glutamates past you. The level of free glutamates are so insignificant that it would never enhance the flavor though it may effect people with a hyper sensitivity to MSG. Adding citric acid is a processors way of using a squeeze of lemon, it adds tartness, nothing more. To the poster who mentioned the hazards of potassium sobrate and sodium benzoate... they are yeast and mold inhibitors, its your choice do you want to be eating a Petri dish or do you want food thats safe!

[chickster]

I'd rather eat fresh food that should be eaten sooner rather than later...and doesn't need preservatives.