Hummus is used in salad dressings, as a dip, or spread on the slice of your morning bread toast. This food item is a versatile dining table essential that is or should be present in every household. One aspect of this delicacy that many people wonder about is how long Hummus lasts in the fridge?
People who are diet-conscious or believe in consuming nutrition-rich food have as a staple of their diet. This Middle-eastern dip has a mouth-watering taste and appealing texture that many people find worth trying.
If you rely on Hummus to satisfy your hunger and keep yourself fit and healthy, follow us and read this article till the end to unfold the hidden truth about the shelf life of Hummus.
How long does Hummus last in the fridge?
Hummus is a versatile food item that is loved by individuals of every age group. Due to its rich taste and several health-benefits, this chickpea dip is gaining popularity worldwide.
The Pesto-like consistency and smooth texture, finely blended with herbs and appropriate seasoning, make every dish tasty. You can eat Hummus at any time of the day and in any season. All you need to do is grab and dip your favorite snack into it and savor the taste.
Since it is a staple of your diet, you cannot always decide the exact quantity you need. Most of the time, you will end up buying it in massive amounts from your nearby grocery store to eliminate the need to purchase it every time.
Logical step is to put it in the fridge. But how long does hummus last in the fridge? This question has been revolving in many individual's minds, and that is why we have come to help you.
There are many variants of Hummus available in the stores. Some people prefer to make their version of it. This dip's shelf life considerably differs due to such differences in the ingredients used and varying textures.
We have listed below the maximum duration up to which the different variants of Hummus stay consumable. This list will give you an approximate idea of the quantity that you should purchase to consume it before it goes bad in the fridge.
Let's check out all different possible situations:
The shelf life of unrefrigerated opened Hummus
How long does the unrefrigerated variant of Hummus last in the fridge after being opened? In an unrefrigerated variant of Hummus, you are required to mix two separate constituents: Tahini and Chickpea Puree that come in individual packaging.
Since they are mixed, the shelf life of the mixed Hummus decreases. Therefore, it lasts for 4-7 days inside the refrigerator.
The shelf life of refrigerated unopened Hummus
What is the shelf life of an unopened refrigerated Hummus variant? Refrigerated Hummus always has to be stored in the fridge at the specified temperature. The unopened pack can last up to 3-7 days inside the refrigerator.
However, it may go bad earlier in some cases. It happens only if the pack stays with the vendor for an extended period beyond the specified time. This delay may give rise to molds, contaminating the Hummus packed inside and making it unfit for consumption.
The shelf life of refrigerated and opened Hummus
How long does refrigerated Hummus last in the fridge after you open the seal? Opened refrigerated Hummus usually lasts up to 4-7 days inside the refrigerator. There may be some preservatives added to the Hummus, due to which it can last even more.
The shelf life of homemade Hummus in the fridge
What is the shelf life of homemade Hummus in the refrigerator? Homemade Hummus has no preservatives added to it. This lack of preservatives means that the Hummus can last only up to 4-5 days in the fridge, beyond which you won't be able to eat it.
The lifespan of Hummus in the refrigerator comes down to its origin. The shelf life differs for the homemade and commercially manufactured Hummus. The sole reason behind this difference is the preservatives that the commercial variants have in their Hummus.
However, the minimum lifespan of Hummus irrespective of its mode of manufacturing is only four days. If you don't consume it in 4 days, it will become rancid and unfit for consumption.
What will happen to the Hummus if it is frozen?
When Hummus freezes in the freezer, nothing happens; the Hummus will stay for longer without going bad. Freezing is the best method that many individuals use to preserve this dip if they go out on vacation.
You will find a slight difference in this dip's texture, but the taste remains the same throughout. However, there are a few do's and don'ts when it comes to freezing the Hummus:
Since this dip can be defrosted for consumption, it is recommended that you should shift it from the freezer into the refrigerator a night before consuming it.
Is it safe to keep Hummus at room temperature and not in the fridge?
Hummus can be kept at room temperature but only for a short period. You cannot wholly keep it in the open because Hummus is a preferable developing place for molds and bacteria that can impact your health.
If you intend to eat over small intervals, you can take out the amount you want to eat and keep the rest inside the refrigerator. It would be best if you also consider the surrounding ambiance. If it is summer, you should consume it faster before it becomes rancid.
Hummus, when left open, attracts bacteria, which then develop on its surface. They change Hummus' color and texture, which are all signs of contamination. If you consume it even while bacteria attack it, the hydrochloride acid in your stomach won't let the invaders survive.
This way, you can safely eat that Hummus and still not get affected. However, the case is different if the attacked Hummus finds its path back into the refrigerator. The bacteria and mold will get a suitable environmental condition to thrive and reproduce.
The next time you take that dip out of the refrigerator and eat it, you may fall sick because the Hummus may have gone entirely bad by that time. So, it is recommendable that you finish the entire portion that you took out in one sitting.
The storage containers also play a crucial role in preventing the Hummus from going bad. A clean and moisture-free container is the best for storing Hummus. The dryness will avoid bacterial growth, and a clean container will not give rise to further contamination.
How to store Hummus to last?
Any product, especially eatables, has to be stored in a specific way. Food items that can sustain room temperature and have a long shelf life can be kept in the open, away from the sunlight. Other eatables go bad in a few days if not stored correctly at the specified temperature.
Hummus is one of them, which is why you should be careful while storing it. You will find Hummus being sold both as refrigerated and unrefrigerated, and these variants have varying shelf lives.
While the refrigerated ones have to be stored in the refrigerator and consumed simultaneously, the same is not applicable for the latter. The unrefrigerated variant of Hummus consists of two parts: chickpea puree and Tahini.
You have to blend these two different constituents before consuming Humus. Tahini is separated from the chickpea puree in the unrefrigerated variant because it has a long shelf life, and you can effortlessly store it at room temperature for months.
You will have to refrigerate the unrefrigerated Hummus once it is opened and blended. When you open the seal, it mixes the two components that form Hummus, whose shelf-life is a minimum of 4 days. It would help if you also store the dip in air-tight containers inside the refrigerator.
However, you should ensure that both the variants of Hummus that you purchase from the grocery store are entirely sealed, irrespective of their storage specifications. If not sealed, your Hummus can go bad in a few days, whether you have stored it correctly or not.
How to identify if the Hummus is good or has gone bad?
All the commercially manufactured Hummus containers come with a date that indicates an estimated period up to which the dip is consumable. You can consume it beyond the mentioned date depending on the conditions, but the manufacturer guarantees its quality until the date printed on the packet.
If not consumed within a particular period, the Hummus will start deteriorating. At this stage, you should be cautious before consuming it in whichever form you do. To be assured whether you can eat it or not, you need to look for the potential signs.
Has the Hummus gone bad? You can effortlessly detect its condition by searching for the signs listed below.
- 1
Visuals
If the Hummus has gone bad, you can easily see mold colonies and discolored patches on the surface. These patches are clear signs that your Hummus has gone bad.
- 2
Smell
When you open the container's lid, and a sniff of unusual smell enters your nostrils, that is when you should completely abandon the container containing the Hummus. If it is a sour or unusual smell, it means that the Hummus has been drastically attacked by the bacteria and has entered the fermentation stage.
- 4
Texture
If you see any change in the texture and the oil separated from the primary mix, your Hummus has gone bad. The oil in the dip separates in many cases. You will find separated oil and fat globules floating on the surface. You can stir the mix, and it gets amalgamated again.
If it doesn't, and a stingy smell comes from the oil, it's high time that you should throw that contaminated Hummus into the trash.
- 5Unsealed Container
Hummus must always be entirely sealed and stored in an air-tight container. If the lid is not closed correctly, bacteria may attack it and contaminate it.
If you see the lid of the container open where you stored your Hummus, and it has been more than ten days purchasing it, discard it without any further thought. It must have been contaminated by then, and if consumed, it can cause severe health issues.
- 6Color
Hummus has a specific color that remains intact till the time it is consumable. If you see minor changes in the shade, tiny green spots, blue or white, you should be aware that mold growth has been initiated in the Hummus.
You should immediately put the entire content in the trash and buy another batch for your safety and well being.
If you find no signs listed above and the aroma and the texture of the Hummus is the same, then your dip is safe to eat.
Can I get sick by consuming contaminated Hummus?
Hummus is one of the foods that can cause severe food poisoning in humans. There have been past incidents where many people were affected by consuming Hummus in North Africa and Europe, contaminated by bacteria.
Bacteria like Salmonella and Listeria can develop on Hummus and make it highly unfit for human consumption. However, this was a thing of the past, and now safety measures are taken while commercially preparing Hummus.
Food poisoning happens by eating Hummus only if it is cross-contaminated. It means that Hummus has not been sealed appropriately, and bacteria and other microscopic organisms have made their way into the dip through other food particles.
The high chances of cross-contamination in Hummus occur when you store it in an uncleaned container. Cross-contamination makes things worse when you consume contaminated Hummus.
To ensure the safety of Hummus, you should pay more attention to its storage. It would be best to store it in clean containers free from any food particle or moisture content.
You should also ensure not to store a container containing Hummus beside a container containing uncooked meat. Uncooked meat is another best place for microscopic organisms to develop and cause diseases.
If kept beside such containers, Hummus can get cross-contaminated, and you will face food poisoning, which can be fatal. Hence, always ensure that you are storing this dip in the best possible manner. There are times when this dip is kept in the refrigerator for more than ten days, but it is in the best condition.
If you consume this old Hummus, you might have an upset stomach, but it will still be okay because old Hummus won't cause food poisoning.
Some final lines on how long Humus last in the fridge
The chickpea paste seasoned with herbs and spices exclusive to the Middle-East has won over many hearts. It is spreading like wildfire worldwide, and many households use it daily. This magical dip breathes life into any dish that you never liked to eat.
Humus has various health benefits, so many athletes prefer it as a substitute for butter or cheese spreading to their bread slices. This food item is protein enriched, which helps repair your tissues and make you healthy for the daily struggle with problems cropping up every time.
Due to its rich flavors and mouth-watering taste, every individual gets tempted to it. Yet, you should not purchase this irresistible dip in huge bulk if you cannot consume it within the specified time. It will not only drain your hard-earned money but can also make you sick.
It would help if you were well-aware about the period until the Hummus is safe to consume; otherwise, you can put your life at potential risk. A slight lack of practicing hygiene can badly cost you, and Hummus is a healthy and tasty food article that can become dangerous if not handled properly.
If you want to escape the regular visits to your local grocery store and have bought a large batch of Hummus, make sure you store a small amount in the refrigerator while putting the rest in the freezer. This way, you will keep it away from bacteria, and its taste and texture will stay intact.
You can feel the real delight of consuming this divine food only by practicing hygiene and following correct storing methods. The only thing that you should bear in mind always is never to keep Hummus in the open air.
It is only by following these tips and tricks on storing Hummus and paying attention to its essential dates that you will make and eat delicious homemade dishes every day.
