Can You Freeze Hummus: Will It Affect Its Taste?
If you want to have a hint of Mediterranean flavor in any dish, hummus will be your savior. It is a savory and versatile dip that can be used in more ways than one. This also makes a healthier alternative to some of the most common dips.
Can you freeze hummus? If in case you made or bought more than what you can consume, you will probably consider freezing it as a way of prolonging its shelf life. In this post, we’ll let you know if you can do it. You will also learn about some of the best ways to store it and ensure its freshness even through time.
Can You Freeze Hummus?
Yes, you can definitely freeze hummus. Like other dips and spreads, freezing it is a great way to retain its peak condition and make it safer for future consumption. This makes it less prone to external elements that can speed up spoilage.
One of the reasons why people freeze hummus is because it is cheaper to make it in one batch than several batches. You can make a large amount today and just freeze it for future consumption. As long as you follow the right methods of freezing, you can have peace of mind that it will taste great.
How Freezing Affects Hummus
However, it is important to note the fact that while it extends its shelf life, there are also some negative impacts of freezing. Among others, you might notice that there are changes in texture and consistency. There are situations wherein it might end up being runny.
There are also cases wherein hummus might taste bland, especially if it has been frozen for a long time. When thawed, the liquid dissolved can probably be mostly water and will make the flavor of the ingredients weaker.
How To Freeze Hummus
Freezing hummus does not guarantee its freshness for a long time. The important thing is to make sure that you do it right. With this, in this section, we will tackle some of the tips that you should keep in mind to freeze it right.
Among others, one of the most important is to make sure that you keep it in a container with an airtight seal. The container should be clean and dry. The seal is also important to make sure that liquid will not expand in the freezer.
If you are keeping the hummus in a container, you should also remember to not maximize the space of the container. As much as possible, you should leave at least an inch on the top, which will leave room for expansion after freezing. If you overfill, it will flow out of the container and can lead to a rancid smell in the freezer.
Another thing that you can do is to sprinkle olive oil on the top of the hummus, but make sure that this is not overdone. This will help in keeping the moisture, which can be lost as a result of freezing. Your hummus will not end up being grainy.
It will also be good to freeze it in smaller containers or in several batches. Open only what you will consume for the day and use a clean spoon. Put a label outside the container to easily monitor the freshness of the hummus.
After freezing the hummus, thawing is also necessary before eating it. You can just leave it in the refrigerator for 24 hours and let it thaw. Do not leave it at room temperature as this will encourage the presence of bacteria.
To make sure that hummus will last long in the freezer, be sure to make it the right way.
How To Know If Hummus Has Gone Bad
Even if hummus is in the freezer, this is not a guarantee that it will stay fresh for a long time. This does not give it an indefinite shelf life. Because of the acidity of some of the ingredients that are used, it is prone to spoilage. This makes it important to know how to spot spoilage in hummus.
The first thing that you have to do is known when it has been frozen. Store-bought hummus will probably have a Best Before date. Whether you made or bought the hummus, when it is in the freezer, make sure to have it consumed within six months. Expect that there will be differences in texture and flavor.
A quick visual inspection of the hummus is another easy way to tell if it has gone bad. If it is watery, this is an indication that you have to discard it. Discoloration will also be apparent, as well as the appearance of mold. In worst cases, there will be bubbles on the top of the hummus.
Smell the hummus after thawing. If it seems too rancid compared to the usual, this is also a sign that it has gone off. You can also taste a small portion of the hummus to determine if it has already past its prime.
Conclusion
So, can you freeze hummus? We hope that the discussions above were able to answer the question. If you need to be refreshed, below are some of the points that we have tackled earlier.
- Yes, it is possible to freeze hummus. This is a good way to extend its lifespan. However, keep in mind that it might have negative impacts on texture, consistency, and taste, which makes it important to freeze it the right way.
- We have also discussed some of the tips in freezing hummus. Make sure to keep it in a container with an airtight seal. Do not overfill. Also, it will be good if you can drizzle it with olive oil on the top, which is essential in retaining its moisture.
- Freezing is not a guarantee that hummus will not go bad. Watch out for signs of spoilage, such as discoloration, the appearance of mold, and changes in consistency. A rancid odor and foul taste will also be indicative that it has gone bad.
Have you tried freezing hummus before? How did you do it? Make sure to leave a comment below.