I was in Hummus Heaven today, but let’s start from the beginning…
This morning the fancy van was back to pick up all the Sabra Tastemakers for our day at the factory.
I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was excited (to eat hummus).
Breakfast was set out for us from Panera. I sat right in front of the pastries, but opted for a bowl of oatmeal with the most delicious granola and fruit.
I went back for some more granola and grapes after this 
We ate while two of the Sabra employees talked about the brand’s marketing and nutrition approach. It was really interesting! Only 14% of households in the US buy Sabra hummus right now. I am the 14% percent.
Debra and the Professor from Smith Bites put on a short food photography info session for us.
Did you know overcast days are great for taking pictures?
This is because they don’t cast shadows or hard light on one piece of your subject.
We talked about lighting, plating and tethering. 
Food Photography Tips:
Use natural light when possible
Use smallish plates for your food photos. This makes it easier to capture and move around if you need to seek out better light.
A small white board is a low cost option to help bounce shadows.
Tethering your camera to your computer allows you to see the picture better right away and make adjustments. This is kinda fancy, but cuts down on editing on the other end.
Don’t eat the props. (Okay, I just have to remind myself.)
After our food photo session it was the moment I had been waiting for… TIME TO EAT HUMMUS!
Sabra’s CEO of foodology had us taste their original hummus fresh off the line (just made) and one that was made a few weeks ago. It’s so weird but they tasted different! I think the ‘older’ one (relative) was better and the flavors were more developed.
She says she starts eating hummus everyday at 8:30am (they sample each batch). How do I get that job?!
We had EVERY option of hummus, salsa, dip and a few recipes that used hummus to eat. There were flavors I knew were out, but not at my local store and ones I hadn’t heard of! It really was hummus Heaven. 
I was very excited to try their new-to-me guacamole and veggie dip. Truthfully, I wasn’t in love with the guac, but I am a very harsh critic (um, my mom has two avocado trees and I’m Mexican) so I’ll cut them some slack on that. 
I wasn’t expecting to like the veggie dip, but I did!
I also got to try their seasonal flavor – Rosemary. I think this one is tied with the Asian Fusion as my new favorite! Loved it. I also suggested they made a pumpkin hummus for their seasonal flavor next year – you guys have to back me up on this one in the comments so they try it.
After some tasting I made a plate of food for lunch.
The chef made two desserts with Sabra Classic Hummus – a chocolate truffle and chocolate caramel pastry. The phyllo dough one had coconut and I’m usually not a fan, but I loved it!
After our delicious meal we went on a tour of the Sabra factory, but first we had to get suited up!
(We put hairnets on and had to take off ALL jewelry before actually going inside.)
There were no pictures allowed in the factory, so you’ll have to take my word on it when I tell you that it smelled like mustard at one point and I saw a bunch of 2,000 bags of chickpeas that I considered stuffing into my suitcase.
The day ended with a presentation from Heather of Spice Station.
We even got a great pack of different spices that I can’t wait to use. (Note: Those caused a little controversy at the security line of the airport, but it was funny.)
Sadly, that ended our day at Sabra and we had to say good-bye.
Even sadder, I didn’t think to stuff my purse with a container of Rosemary hummus so I had to buy crappy airport food for dinner. Obviously, I needed the dark chocolate to console myself.
Now I’m blogging in the air on the way home. I had an absolute blast! I have been in love with Sabra’s hummus for years (now it’s the only kind I buy). I am very grateful for this opportunity.
I also got to meet some amazing bloggers that are super cute and fun and know a lot more than me about cooking and fashion and life. We didn’t take a group picture, but check out the blogs of the other Sabra Tastemakers if you have some time:
- http://shewearsmanyhats.com/
- http://mommacuisine.com/
- http://www.eatingbirdfood.com/
- http://www.smithbites.com/
- http://nibblesandfeasts.com/
- http://www.mangotomato.com/
- http://ramshackleglam.com/
Question: What’s your favorite flavor of hummus?
I love every sabra product I’ve tried and Ive tried alot of them now.
What a fun trip; I love Sabra Hummus! So glad you had fun; looks amazing!
Who knew that sweater would match the toe caps!
I love Sabra hummus, and all the flavors make sure I don’t get bored. I find hummus and some sort of cracker a perfect afternoon snack. Looks like your trip was fun and informative. Kewl. Have a great day. ^_^
YES, on the pumpkin hummus!! what a fun opportunity! 🙂 🙂
I would have seriously been in heaven!!! I love hummus, and sabra is my favorite brand 😀
I’m an Athenos girl when it comes to hummus, but how fun to get to tour the factory!
Fun! Favorite is roasted pine nut Sabra. I’m eating veggies and Sabra right now.
That Spanish eggplant product looks really good – was it a dip or a topper?
I love Sabra, pinenut hummus is my favorite! I had no idea they have guacamole or veggie dip, awesome! I will have to look for that in the stores next time I am out!
This is awesome! Quick question…how do you make a chocolate truffle out of hummus? What was it like?
Pumpkin Hummus?!?! Oh YES, Please and Thank you! Pumpkin is Heaven’s spice I’m sure of it! I am on a pumpkin eating frenzy! I have been on the look out for some pumpkin yogurt and have yet to discover it..Rumor has it TJ’s is the place to be for this! I have eaten pumpkin oatmeal, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin swirl bread, drank pumpkin lattes, pumpkin coffee creamer…I even put pumpkin creamer in my green smoothie (made with spinach) and it ROCKED! I am a firm believer that pumpkin only adds deliciousness to anything! Why this is only around part of the year I will never understand! So go ahead Sabra, Rock it out with the pumpkin! 🙂
Hummus desserts? With chocolate and coconut? I would have never thought of that, yum!
I love Sabra and the Supremely Spicy is my favorite! I have never seen the Rosemary flavor around here but I LOVE rosemary so I really want some!!
What a cool opportunity! I’m surprised at the 14%…I love Sabra! I recently blog about a Hummus+Arugula Tortilla wrap recipe I’ve been eating almost daily. I never get sick of hummus!
PS. Where did you get that star top?? So cute.
Target 🙂
I’ve been looking for the sabra veggie dip everywhere, but can’t find it! I love their garlic hummus the best! Looks like you had a great time – love the photo tips!
I love the Sabra garlic flavor. The garlic stays on your breath for awhile but it’s so worth it. I eat it with raw veggies.
YUM! What an awesome opportunity!! I love their original as well as their spicy hummus. I would be interested in trying pumpkin! 😉
I really like hummus and after seeing you mention a while back that Sabra was the “best” I started paying attention to the different brands I like. Sprouts Artichoke is my all time fav but you can only get it locally in OC. As far as national brands you’re right! Sabra is the best and now the only one I buy!!
Pretty sure I could eat Sabra Supremely Spicy hummus with a spoon. Your adventure makes me insanely jealous…& of course also makes me want hummus! Yum 🙂
I LOVE Sabra’s roasted red pepper hummus; it’s the only kind I buy! Yum!
I am the 14% too! Love that stuff, we get the singles at Costco. At one point they switched and used another brand for their singles packs, but they are back to Sabra now and we are happy.
I never get the singles because I buy the big ol’ jug they have, but I kinda want to grab some for Ben’s lunch and Dland trips.
Sabra is the brand that made me love hummus. I love cloudy days for taking pictures, but I also love sunset and sunrise, when you have fun angles with the light, too.
I’m in the 14% too! Sabra spinach & artichoke is my favorite
This sounds amazing! I love Sabra’s new guacamole.
Also, there’s absolutely no way I can resist a whole grain bagel/hazelnut cream cheese combo from Panera. It has powers over me!
I’m in the 14% too! The other popular brand is too runny for me! I love the Tuscan flavor and the roasted garlic!
I love roasted garlic too!
What fun! I’m totally wanting some hummus right now. haha I hope my grocery store gets that Spanish eggplant spread soon. It sounds wonderful!
I kinda want to get that eggplant spread and heat it up on some toast. I think it would be great warm 🙂
Sounds awesome! Love hummus. Also, I love your yellow sweater!
Thanks 🙂
That’s a great event you have visited and I love the food photography pointers, as I want to start taking good food photos.
We only get the plain/original variety in the supermarts here; I guess it’s too small a market for them to bring in more varieties.
BTW, if 14% buys Sabra, what about the rest of the population? What other brand names are there?
love your yellow sweater! hummus in a dessert is…intriguing.
I really like Sabras spicy flavor! Super delish. How funny is it that you were causing problems on the way out and the way in the airport with your food!?
I need to find that rosemary hummus ASAP!
I like any hummus that include garlic!!
I went to the farmers market in Hillcrest this past weekend and the hummus/pasta/sauce table had pumpkin hummus. The consistency and flavor was just like pumpkin pie. I eat mine on veggies so it wierded me out a little, but I seriously think youd love it 🙂
numero uno–You in the yellow sweater is way too cute 🙂
numero dos–I think we would be friends in real life…
that is all.
Pumpkin hummus does sound good!!
I love Sabra hummus, its the kind I buy most.
I loved the new Asian Fusion and Rosemary flavors too. I hope we get the Asian Fusion in our local stores soon – if not, at least I know where I can go find some. 🙂
So great to see you and catch up lady!!
Pumpkin Pie hummus would be amazing!!!
Hi! You are sooo lucky! I love hummus! During the fall semester of last year, lived off carrots and hummus (it was the best!). Mother’s Market has a Cilantro Jalapeno hummus that tastes AMAZING! I literally have purchased 1/2 lb of it and it is gone by the next day. Soooo good!
What? Only 14%? I am definitely contributing to that statistic. I’ve tried just about every other brand of hummus and nothing compares to Sabra. Now let’s just convince them to make a pumpkin flavor and I’m sure we can raise that percentage FAST! 🙂
Sabra is the only brand I will buy too. I love it! Looks like you had an awesome time!
I’ve been eating sabra hummus regularly for years though I pick up other brands from time to time. The roasted garlic and sundried tomato flavors are my faves! I would love to have tried the chocolate caramel pastry…is there a recipe for that 🙂
I’m a loyalist. The guy at our farmer’s market makes the best artichoke hummus, and since I’m insane(-ly loyal???), I stick with that. Why try something new?
I’m the 14% And roasted red pepper forever owns my heart!
Ok, actually I’m lying, I love the pesto and the sundried tomato too. I was just at the store today too, I should have bought some Sabra!
I just ate some Sabra Basil Pesto Hummus…delicious! Sounds like a fun trip
I am one of the 14%! I love the roasted garlic. Glad you had a great trip. The spice set looks cool.
The Kidless Kronicles
ok I want to know what was in the bag from the hotel!
LOL
Anyway..looks like a lot of fun!
How fun! Who knew you could make desserts out of hummus?
I’m def one of the 14% who buy Sabra, its my fave! I love Hummus with Tahini.
You live such a dream life!!!
Ummm yummmm I’m also one of the 14% of households! I love their hummus and salsa. I’m not sure I’ve ever had their guac. Cute outfit for the factory. I’ve toured a Kraft plant before and my outfit was similar, more function than fashion. Thanks for sharing the tour.
Pumpkin hummus sounds like a really good idea.
Majorly jealous of your trip! Sabra hummus is the only brand that I like – the rest always taste “off” to me. I love the roasted garlic and the pine nut flavors most.
Most important question: where is that sweater from!?
I loveee Sabra! Really feeling the roasted garlic these days. And chocolate hummus truffles?! Those sound amazing. I am so jealous of your visit to the factory.
What a cool experience, how fun you get to go to all these cool things! And yes they are my favorite brand for sure!
Ha! Favorite flavor? I am obviously one of those in the “other” percent that has never bought the stuff…although, now I am curious.
Nice yellow shoes with that outfit too…love it!
Ha! Yes, those shoe covers made us sound like horses when we walked too.
I highly recommend trying it! I have been eating it for a while now and it is just amazing 🙂