The UN’s declaration of 2016 as the International Year of Pulses will focus a spotlight on Mediterranean cuisine and further elevate the humble hummus to superfood status, according to a leading Lebanese food expert.
Faysal Younes, CEO of eathos, the food and beverage platform which brought Kababji to the UAE, said the UN focus will bring heightened awareness of the health benefits of eating hummus – the highly popular Middle Eastern dip made with chickpeas, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and tahini.
The UN initiative aims to heighten public awareness of the nutritional benefits of pulses as part of sustainable food production aimed towards food security and nutrition. The UN says pulses are a vital source of plant-based proteins and amino acids and as part of a healthy diet can address obesity and help prevent and manage diabetes, coronary conditions and cancer.
“Hummus is one of this region’s Top 10 favorite foods popular with residents, Middle Easterners and visitors and it is rapidly gaining a worldwide following,” said Faysal.
“Hollywood stars Anne Hathaway and Natalie Portman admit to being keen hommos consumers and they look pretty good on it. Hommos provides people with protein and a number of essential vitamin and minerals, and while it can be high in fat, it is mostly heart-healthy unsaturated fat. It is next year’s superfood being high in fiber, gluten-free, nut free, and dairy free.”
eathos has recently opened its first UAE Kababji restaurant, take-away and delivery service at Dubai Marina Promenade, and a second is to open before the year end in Deira.
