Israel Bests Lebanon for Hummus World Record

By JTA January 11, 2010

Israel recaptured the world record for making the largest plate of hummus, nearly doubling a record set in Lebanon less than three months ago.

About 50 Arab and Jewish chefs in the Israeli-Arab town of Abu Gosh prepared more than 8,800 pounds of the traditional Middle East spread last Friday.

The recipe included 2 1/2 tons of chickpeas, 1 1/2 tons of sesame paste and hundreds of fresh-squeezed lemons, as well as crushed garlic and olive oil. The finished product was displayed on a huge dish: a satellite dish nearly 20 feet in diameter.

The Lebanese record of about 4,500 pounds set in late October broke an Israeli record.

Lebanon claims ownership of hummus, a traditional Middle Eastern dish, and accuses Israel of stealing the product and marketing it as Israeli, according to reports. Its exact origin is unknown, though presumed to be Arab.

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