Bali Asli’s Hummus Is Worth Hoarding

Bali Asli employs workers from the local villages to help with production. (Photo courtesy of Bali Asli)

Friendships are measured in many different ways. For me and a couple of pals, it’s the Hummus Index.

My very good-natured friends have put up with my cooking experiments and the evolution of my hummus is probably the longest-running experiment. It has been a trial-and-error process to find the perfect, creamy and smooth dip. And it wouldn’t be possible without the delicious tahini by Bali Asli.

This all-natural company has been based in Bali’s mountains since 1986 and employs workers from the local villages to help with production. The company might be best known for its soaps, but I’m over the moon about their food products. 

Their tahini is only made from two ingredients — sesame seeds and peanut oil — and has a delicious creamy, slightly bitter flavor that not only forms an excellent base for hummus but also works well on sandwiches and dressings. It’s a high quality product made locally and for a luxury item, it’s quite affordable.

Other delicious all-natural Bali Asli products that are worth a try include their nut butters (the cashew-peanut butter is a personal favorite) and marmalades that come in the great flavors of lime, lime ginger, pineapple lemon, and lemon and orange. 

One of the new Bali Asli products I just learned about and can’t wait to try is their flavored salts. I’m already dreaming up uses for their spicy chili salt, and I really want to sample their sesame salt. 

But like many “exotic” things found in Jakarta’s specialty grocery stories, Bali Asli products can be difficult to find. I have gone months without seeing my beloved tahini and then sometimes, there will be cases of it in the middle of the shops. When the tahini is abundant, I tend to pick up a couple of jars, just in case it’s not there the next time. Living in Jakarta has made me something of a hoarder, but if you come over to my house, I promise you there will be some delicious hummus waiting.

And if anyone is curious, the recipe for the perfect hummus is a 15 ounce can of chickpeas, a cup of tahini, a lemon, half a garlic clove, olive oil, water, salt and cumin. 

Start by putting the tahini and lemon juice in a food processor or blender and whip them together for a couple of seconds. Then add the garlic, a portion of the chickpeas, salt and cumin to taste, a healthy dose of olive oil and a dash of water. Keep adding chickpeas and water in increments while paying attention to the consistency. 

Continue to taste periodically to make sure your flavors are on and when the mixture is smooth, heat up some pitas and you’re set.

Visit www.bali-asli.com for more information.

Christi Hang is an editor and writer based in Jakarta who is making her way through Indonesia one shopping mall at a time. She can be reached at christi.hang@gmail.com.

By Christi Hang on 12:50 pm Jun 15, 2014