Sabra hummus is a popular hummus brand in the United States and Canada. Sabra makes many flavors of hummus, including classic hummus, Greek hummus, pine nut hummus, and more. However, in recent years, Sabra’s roasted pine nut hummus appears to have been discontinued or become very difficult to find in stores. This has left many hummus fans wondering – what happened to Sabra roasted pine nut hummus?
There are a few potential reasons why Sabra may have discontinued or reduced production of the roasted pine nut hummus variety:
Low Sales
One possibility is that the roasted pine nut hummus was not selling well enough for Sabra. If the pine nut variety was not as popular as Sabra’s classic hummus or other flavors, the company may have decided to discontinue it due to low demand from consumers. Discontinuing low-selling products allows companies to focus their production and inventory on faster-moving flavors.
Ingredient Costs
Pine nuts are more expensive than chickpeas and other more common hummus ingredients. If the cost of pine nuts increased substantially, it may have become unprofitable for Sabra to continue producing the pine nut hummus on a large scale. Switching to less costly ingredient substitutes could have impacted the flavor profile and quality of the hummus.
Manufacturing Issues
There may have been some manufacturing or sourcing issues that caused Sabra to halt produciton of the pine nut hummus. If there was a poor harvest of pine nuts one year or issues with a key supplier, Sabra may have decided to stop making that flavor rather than compromise on the ingredient quality.
Consumer Feedback
While the pine nut hummus had its fans, it’s possible that Sabra received feedback from other consumers that the flavor was not appealing. Changes in consumer taste preferences over time could have led Sabra to discontinue slower-selling flavors like pine nut.
When was Sabra Roasted Pine Nut Hummus discontinued?
It appears that Sabra started phasing out the roasted pine nut hummus variety around 2017. Reports of it becoming very difficult to find in stores increased notably that year and in 2018. By 2019, most grocery stores no longer carried it and many Sabra hummus product lists no longer included the pine nut flavor.
Here is a timeline of when the disappearance of Sabra Roasted Pine Nut Hummus occurred:
| Year | Availability of Pine Nut Hummus |
|---|---|
| Prior to 2017 | Widely available in grocery stores across the U.S. |
| 2017 | Beginning to disappear from some store shelves |
| 2018 | Stock is depleted in more stores, shortages reported |
| 2019 | No longer available in most brick-and-mortar stores |
| 2020-Present | Very difficult to find in stores, seems to be discontinued |
So while an exact discontinuation date is unknown, the timeline indicates that Sabra likely phased out the pine nut hummus gradually over 2017-2019. By 2020, it became nearly impossible to find on store shelves.
What were the reviews of Sabra Roasted Pine Nut Hummus?
When it was still widely available, Sabra Roasted Pine Nut Hummus had generally positive reviews from customers:
Taste
Many hummus aficionados enjoyed the rich, nutty taste of the pine nut variety. The pine nuts provided a nice textural crunch and flavor that distinguished it from standard hummus. However, some felt the pine nut flavor overpowered the chickpea taste.
Texture
The hummus had a smooth, creamy texture consistent with Sabra’s other hummus lines. The pine nuts added extra body and thickness. Some felt the pine nuts made it too thick, while others thought it provided an ideal spreadable consistency.
Overall quality
As a Sabra product, the pine nut hummus was perceived as high-quality and flavorful. Fans of the variety saw it as a more interesting alternative to regular hummus. The ingredients were simple and high in protein.
Here are some example reviews prior to its discontinuation:
| Reviewer | Rating | Review |
|---|---|---|
| Jenna C. | 4/5 stars | “Tasty alternative to regular hummus with the delicious pine nut flavor.” |
| Max T. | 3/5 stars | “Okay but a bit too thick and pine-nutty for me.” |
| Sabrina P. | 5/5 stars | “So creamy and yummy! The pine nuts give it great crunch.” |
So it seems while not universally loved, many hummus fans really enjoyed the roasted pine nut variety prior to it becoming difficult to find in stores.
How does Sabra Roasted Pine Nut Hummus nutrition compare to classic hummus?
The nutrition facts of Sabra’s roasted pine nut hummus compared to their classic hummus are quite similar:
| Nutrition Facts | Roasted Pine Nut Hummus | Classic Hummus |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 70 per 2 tbsp | 60 per 2 tbsp |
| Total Fat | 3.5g | 3g |
| Sodium | 180mg | 140mg |
| Total Carbs | 6g | 7g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g | 2g |
| Protein | 3g | 2g |
The main differences are:
– Roasted pine nut has slightly more calories and fat due to the added pine nuts
– It contains more protein than classic
– It has a bit less carbs and sodium
Overall, the two varieties are comparably healthy. The pine nut version has the added benefit of plant-based protein from the nuts. But for those watching sodium intake, classic hummus may be a better choice.
Where can you still find Sabra Roasted Pine Nut Hummus today?
Although the pine nut hummus seems to be discontinued across most grocery stores, it is still possible to occasionally find some remaining stock at certain retailers. Here are a few places that may still carry it from time to time:
Specialty grocery stores
Some natural food stores like Whole Foods or Sprouts may still have a few jars on shelves. Stock likely sells out fast. International and ethnic grocers also sometimes carry harder-to-find items.
Dollar stores
Dollar General, Family Dollar and similar bargain stores are known to carry discontinued or leftover stock of grocery items while supplies last. Check the hummus section to possibly find some pine nut flavor.
Online sellers
Websites like Amazon Marketplace or eBay may have people reselling the pine nut hummus purchased from old retail stock. It tends to be priced higher than standard hummus.
Direct from the manufacturer
In very limited quantities, it may be possible to request a case of the discontinued flavor directly through Sabra’s website or customer service. But this option is rare.
While difficult, a bit of searching and luck may result in finding the elusive Sabra pine nut hummus for die-hard fans. But unfortunately it does not seem to be making a widespread comeback anytime soon.
How do you make your own roasted pine nut hummus?
For those who miss Sabra’s roasted pine nut hummus, it is possible to replicate the flavor at home:
Ingredients:
– 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
– 1/4 cup tahini
– 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for serving
– 3 tablespoons lemon juice
– 1 small garlic clove, peeled
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
– 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
– 2 tablespoons water, plus more as needed
– Dash of paprika, for serving
– Additional pine nuts, for serving
Directions:
1. In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, cumin and pine nuts. Pulse a few times to break up chickpeas.
2. With the food processor running, slowly stream in the water until hummus reaches desired consistency, adding more water 1 tablespoon at a time if too thick. Process until very smooth.
3. Transfer hummus to a serving bowl and drizzle olive oil on top. Sprinkle with paprika and additional pine nuts. Enjoy with pita chips or fresh veggies!
The key is finding toasted pine nuts, which provide the signature nutty crunch and flavor. With the right ratio of ingredients and processing time, you can achieve the same smooth, creamy texture as Sabra’s version. Adjust seasoning to taste for your preferred level of garlic, lemon and salt.
What’s the best Sabra hummus replacement for pine nut flavor?
If searching for the discontinued Sabra pine nut hummus proves fruitless, these current Sabra flavors offer similar nutty notes and texture:
Sabra Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
The charred red peppers provide a roasted aroma and flavor reminiscent of pine nuts. The red peppers also add texture.
Sabra Roasted Garlic Hummus
The caramelized garlic has a nutty sweetness that substitutes well for the pine nut taste.
Sabra Olive Hummus
Green olives offer a touch of bitter fruit and crunch that’s a decent stand-in for pine nuts.
Sabra Chili Hummus
This variety has a kick of heat from chili peppers. The peppers lend a toasted, smoky element similar to roasted pine nuts.
Sabra Roasted Eggplant Hummus
Like pine nuts, the roasted eggplant has an earthy, nutty profile that sets this hummus apart from the original.
While none can exactly replicate the precise flavors and textures of the pine nut hummus, these creative Sabra varieties come close in terms of quality and taste experience.
Conclusion
For a few short years, Sabra Roasted Pine Nut Hummus offered a uniquely flavored, protein-packed alternative to standard hummus. But sometime between 2017-2019, this variety was gradually discontinued and stocks depleted in most retail locations. While exact details are unknown, this was likely due to some combination of low sales, manufacturing issues, and changes in consumer demand over time. Fans who wish to relive the pine nut hummus can try to hunt down any remaining jars at specialty grocers or online. With a good recipe, it’s also possible to make your own flavorful pine nut hummus at home. In the meantime, Sabra offers other roasted and nutty options to substitute for the discontinued pine nut variety. But many hummus aficionados will fondly remember this hard-to-find gem.