Sumac (pronounced SOO-mak) is the fruit of a shrub (Rhus coriaria) that grows throughout the Middle East and the Mediterranean. These berries vary in colour from brick red to dark purple, depending on where the shrub is grown.
Berries are harvested just before they ripen, then left in the sun to dry. While whole dried berries are available in the growing regions, in Australia sumac is usually sold as a coarse or fine powder.
Prior to the introduction of lemons, the Romans used sumac as a souring agent. It has a pleasant tangy taste with a hint of citrus fruitiness and virtually no aroma.
An essential ingredient in Middle Eastern cuisine, sumac is used in spice rubs, marinades and dressings, and is also served as a condiment.
Along with sesame seeds and dried thyme, it’s one of the main ingredients in the spice mix za’atar, which is used to flavour meat and vegetables, or mixed with oil to make a paste that’s spread on bread before baking.
Sumac goes well with chicken, fish and seafood, lamb, eggplant, chickpeas and lentils. For a delicious marinade or dressing, mix it with yoghurt and other herbs and spices such as chilli, coriander, cumin, paprika and parsley.
Blend salt and sumac in a ratio of four-to-one, or to taste, and serve it instead of table salt with grilled meats.
Combine 1 tbs of olive oil and 1-2 tsp of sumac, then rub over a whole chicken before roasting or rub into beef steaks before barbecuing.
Toast Lebanese bread and break into 3-4cm pieces. Toss gently with sliced grilled lamb, feta, rocket and thinly sliced red onion, and a dressing made with olive oil, sumac and orange juice.
After cooking, toss potato or sweet potato fries with a little sumac.
Make your own za’atar by grinding 1 tbs toasted sesame seeds, 1 tsp sumac, 1 tsp dried thyme leaves and 1/2 tsp sea salt with a mortar and pestle until smooth. Sprinkle it over roasted baby potatoes or mashed potatoes. For a twist on garlic bread, combine za’atar with butter and spread over bread. Bake until butter melts and bread is golden.
What can I use instead of sumac
Lemon zest is the most readilyavailable alternative to sumac. Simply mix some fresh lemon zest with salt, and you have asumacalternative ready to use.
Buying and storage
Sumac is available in the spice section of most supermarkets.Sumac will keep in an airtight container for several months.
The flavor of sumac can be likened to the tang of fresh-squeezed lemon juice; it's tart and sharp, but also contains a hint of sweetness, along with lingering floral notes. “It's a subtle tang with some fruitiness that you wouldn't get from lemon juice,” says food blogger Amina Al-Saigh.
Sumac replacements range from lemon zest, lemon pepper, lemon juice or vinegar to replicate the tart flavor of sumac. But, beware that you should use less of these substitutes than the recipe calls for as they are more powerful than the sumac flavor.
The bright reddish-purple flakes are also a great garnish to use in places where you might use paprika to liven up the looks of a dish. We love sumac in marinades and rubs, in spice mixes for seasoning roasted and grilled meats. Try sprinkling a pinch of sumac over hummus and creamy dips, salads, side dishes, and fish.
People dry and powder these berries for use as an herbal medicine or culinary spice. Sumac is rich in a variety of nutrients and antioxidant compounds. Early research suggests it may be beneficial for blood sugar control and relief of exercise-induced muscle pain.
The sumac taste is very distinct, though, and quite different from turmeric. Turmeric has a bitter, slightly pungent flavor that works well with most dishes. Sumac, on the other hand, is more tangy and lemony, which is why lemon zest mixed with black pepper is often used as a sumac spice substitute.
What Does Sumac Taste Like? Sumac is made from the dried and ground 'berries' of the plant's natural wild flower. The taste is tangy with a sour, acidic flavour reminiscent of lemon juice.
Some uncommon Middle Eastern spices such as sumac, za'atar, and dukkah have become my go-to's. They're perfect on fish, salads, meats, and vegetables. Sumac is a red-purple powder that adds a lovely lemony flavor and gorgeous color. Za'atar is a lemony hyssop or thyme, sumac, and sesame seed blend.
To prepare the sumac as a spice, I start by removing the little individual red berries (drupes) that make up the stag.I take all the berries and put them in the blender and process for a minute or two. The red fluffy outer part of the berry separates from the seed in the center.
Applying topical OTC skin protectants, such as zinc acetate, zinc carbonate, zinc oxide, and calamine dry the oozing and weeping of poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. Protectants such as baking soda or colloidal oatmeal relieve minor irritation and itching. Aluminum acetate is an astringent that relieves rash.
Sumac is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory spices out there. 1 It ranks high on the ORAC chart, which means it's packed with antioxidants and has the ability to neutralize free radicals that can cause cancer, heart disease, and signs of aging.
Like most spices, sumac should be kept in a cool, dark, and dry place like a cabinet or drawer. Good quality sumac will last up to a year before losing its flavor.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use sweet sumac when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
The comparison of changes in two trial arms showed that sumac supplementation significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (sumac group -5.59 ± 10.6 vs.
Address: Apt. 203 613 Huels Gateway, Ralphtown, LA 40204
Phone: +2135150832870
Job: Regional Design Producer
Hobby: Nordic skating, Lacemaking, Mountain biking, Rowing, Gardening, Water sports, role-playing games
Introduction: My name is Fredrick Kertzmann, I am a gleaming, encouraging, inexpensive, thankful, tender, quaint, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
