What is Sumac?
Sumac is a spice made from the dried fruits of the sumac tree (also called dyer's tree). Rarely can you get the pure spice. Normally, it is produced with a small amount of salt and therefore counts as a spice blend. The salt is important to maintain its quality over a longer period.
Where does it come from?
Sumac comes from the eastern Mediterranean, such as Turkey, Syria, or Sicily. The tree-shrub, which grows about 3 meters tall, thrives best in the Mediterranean climate and on dry limestone soils. The sumac drupes are crimson at maturity and 5 mm in size. After harvest, they are dried in the sun and then roughly ground. In the end, they mix it with a little salt.
Sumac since antiquity
Since antiquity, sumac has been used as a medicine. Furthermore, since ancient times, it has been used in leather production. In the Roman period, sumac was used as an acidifier for food production. The aroma was obtained by extraction with water.
How does it taste?
Sumac has a sour, fruity-tart taste and can replace lemon, tamarind, and vinegar.
How is it used?
- It is an essential spice in Arabic, Turkish, and Lebanese cuisine. It is highly appreciated for its sour taste and acts as a table spice.
- Turkish cuisine often uses it to season salads and kebabs. It is often combined with parsley to season onion rings, giving them a uniquely fresh and sour flavor.
- Sumac also pairs well with grilled meats, poultry, and fish. Rub the spice on the meat before barbecuing.
- Mix sumac with yogurt to create an excellent dip or use it to refine your sauces.
- In Iran, it is used to flavor butter rice.
- It is also an ingredient in the well-known spice mixture Za'atar.
- Additionally, it adds a delicate aroma to casseroles with meat or fish.
Which spices does Sumac pair well with?
Sumac goes well with the following spices: chili, coriander, garlic, cumin, mint, sesame, thyme, parsley.
Ingredients: Sumac 5% salt
Sumac spice is a Turkish spice
- Sumac is slightly sour and has a fruity-tart taste.
- It is a table spice in oriental cuisine.
- Great for grilled meat, poultry, fish.
- Perfect for yogurt dip and herbal sauces.
Recipe: Yogurt dressing with sumac
For your salad dressing,take a cup of natural yogurt and mix it with 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped mint. Then press a clove of garlic and add half a teaspoon of sumac. Blend it well with the yogurt.
Where can I buy sumac?
Here in our online shop, you can easily buy the Turkish spice sumac in bags from 50g to 500g.
