There are few foods that I consume more consistently than hummus. I would have been part of a small minority fifteen years ago, but Americans today are embracing the chickpea-tahini-olive oil dip whole-heartedly. Hummus managed to win over the American public with it’s flavor, convenience and healthfulness. Now, a dizzying selection of flavors are available nationwide.
Fewer than five years ago, however, a new hummus trend began humming under the radar. Dessert Hummus, in part pioneered by the brand “Delighted By,” aims to satiate the sweet tooth in a non-destructive manner.
Makenzie Marzluff began selling Delighted By Hummus in 2015 at local farmers markets. Her company has since garnered widespread attention, including an appearance on ABC’s “Shark Tank.”
I came across the brand during a recent trip to Whole Foods, and I was compelled immediately. I purchased an 8-oz. container of Brownie Batter hummus with an open mind and an empty stomach. So was it worth Eating?
Flavor
Balance is incredibly important with any type of flavored hummus, and Marzluff clearly dedicated a great deal of time into getting the formula correct. The flavor resembles pure, high-quality dark chocolate. There is just the right amount of turbinado sugar-derived sweetness (four grams per ounce) to combat any potential bitterness. The earthy, beany flavor of chickpeas is mostly masked by the cocoa, but it’s still present.
The rich, bold chocolate flavor is a stark contrast to the bright, lemony-nutty flavor of traditional hummus, so I was caught off-guard. There’s no tahini in this hummus, which is a bit of a shame, as the nutty flavor would pair very well with the rich chocolaty-ness, but those searching for unadulterated chocolate flavor in a dip will not leave disappointed. 8/10
Texture
The richness of this hummus in regards to flavor carries over to the consistency. From the moment you dig into this tub, you’ll notice one thing. She is thick. It’s almost on the same playing field as frosting regarding the consistency. The addition of coconut oil and coconut milk is likely the reason for this, as the final product has a smooth creaminess despite the lack of olive oil.
Like any hummus, there is a slight graininess due to the main ingredient, but that insane richness was almost enough to make me forget that I was eating pureed chickpeas, and that is a major accomplishment. Seriously, I actually felt rather guilty whilst eating this. Hummus=Guilt? 8.5/10
Versatility
All Delighted By products are 100% vegan and gluten-free. The inherently sweet flavor of their brownie batter hummus is indicative of what it pairs with. Pretzels were my go-to, as I’m a sucker for anything sweet and salty. Graham crackers are another solid choice. Those wanting to continue with the healthy theme can opt for strawberries or bananas. I can even see it working as a component in a smoothie.
Additionally, the blog on the Delighted By website features several posts revealing inventive ways to use the products, as well as a behind-the-scenes look into the company.
Despite it’s healthful properties, this is not a particularly low-calorie product, with 80 calories per ounce and 640 per container. Therefore, eating it directly out of the container may not be the best method of portion control. 7.5/10
Overall Enjoyment
I had high hopes for this hummus, and I was not disappointed. Delighted By’s Brownie Batter hummus delivered everything that it promised, and I enjoyed every spoonful. Refraining from devouring the entire container in one sitting was a serious challenge, and I cannot say I have ever had that issue with any other hummus before. I’m hyped to try other flavors, such as snickerdoodle, key lime pie and vanilla bean.
Marzluff seems very passionate about her business based on the interviews that I have seen, and that passion shines through her products. Really good stuff. 8.5/10
Total Score: 32.5/40