Locally Made: Saber Rouin is Doctor Hummus

Doctor Hummus proudly poses with the mixer that began his business. Lucky for us, he's moved on to bigger and better.

​Saber Rouin's father always wanted him to be a doctor.

Rouin was born in the North African country of Tunisia. His story begins on the deck of a cruise ship, a Love Boat of sorts, where he launched his early culinary career, and met his wife. From there, he journeyed on to Las Vegas where he was employed as a chef in one of the large casinos. 

Just after the birth of his son, Rouin decided to shift gears and settle in Phoenix, a place he thought would provide a more family-friendly environment. In Phoenix, he finally found a way to utilize his love of food while making good on that promise, he'd made to his father back in Tunisia.  

Rouin never earned a medical degree, but Phoenicians know him by his alter ego and local company Doctor Hummus. 

​Though he transferred into real-estate after relocating to Phoenix, Rouin was still fond of entertaining and feeding people.  When gathering with friends, he often whipped up hummus and other foods inspired by his North African upbringing.  

Everyone kept telling him that he needed to package and sell his delicious concoctions, so he finally decided to give it a try, initially expecting to sell his hummus on the side as a hobby.

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According to Rouin, the key to good hummus is in the freshness of the ingredients.  Hummus is primarily made of chickpeas, an excellent source of protein commonly used in Tunisian dishes.  He uses local chickpeas and lemon juice from an orchard in Tempe.  

​The chickpeas are steamed and then blended into a paste.  He adds sea salt, pure olive oil, tahini, and fresh garlic, something that differentiates his hummus from most store brands which often use garlic powder.

​His products do not contain preservatives, a fact that has kept his distribution local, though he has been approached to ship outside the area.  Five years after his first farmers market, Rouin produces around 2000 tubs of his homemade hummus each week.  

No longer a weekend hobby, Rouin runs his own kitchen in Tempe where he turns out five delicious hummus flavors. He also makes three types of pita chips and several side items, including his newest creation, a sun dried tomato pesto sauce.

​He might not have a fancy medical degree, but like a physician, Rouin has the well-being of his customers at heart.  He warns against the dangers of "no thinking eating" and strives to provide tasty food that his customers can also feel good about.  

We couldn't agree with the honorary doctor more, we're just glad that we live in Phoenix where his prescription can be refilled any time.

​Doctor Hummus products can be found at most of the metro area farmers markets as well as Whole Foods, New Frontiers, and AJ's.  

For more information check www.doctorhummus.com.