This Instant Hummus Turns Fresh In Less Than A Minute

With Prest, an innovative shelf-stable hummus brand, founder Brian Youngblood is challenging what we know about one of the world’s favorite dips.

The Harvard Business graduate and staunch supporter of sustainability launched Prest in 2024 from his dorm room as a side hustle after realizing he kept throwing away half-eaten tubs of hummus.

Hummus has a pretty short shelf life, and store-bought versions rarely compare to freshly made hummus. Youngblood set out to see if he could create a shelf-stable alternative that, when mixed with olive oil, could deliver the fresh taste of homemade hummus.

Prest is essentially instant hummus in powdered form, made from cooked chickpea flour blended with seasoning. It’s naturally plant-based, tahini- and gluten-free, and can remain shelf stable unopened for an impressive two years.

Once you open it, simply blend the powder with water and extra-virgin olive oil, and it turns into fresh hummus in less than 60 seconds. From there, it has roughly the same shelf life as regular hummus.

Currently, Prest comes in three flavors: Lemon Dill, Roasted Garlic, and Spicy Harissa Red Pepper, which are available online and at specialty grocers.