If you love the sharpness of vinegar and citrus, Sumac would be an ideal addition to vegetable, fish and poultry dishes.
What Does Sumac Taste Like? It has a sharp citrus flavor with black pepper undertones.
What is Sumac?
Sumac the spice is the ground up red fruit of a true Sumac shrub (genus Rhus). Not all sumac shrubs produce fruit suitable for consumption. Poison Sumac is not a true Sumac, has white fruit, and most definitely should not be consumed. Sumac is a common spice of both the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries, notable for its tart taste and deep red color.
How Do I Use Sumac?
Sumac is an extraordinarily versatile spice. The crimson spice has a high acid content and works well with most dishes where lemon zest or vinegar are added for an extra zing. Personally, I love sumac on roasted vegetables and in my potato salad. Gives a dish an extra something delicious and unique that is hard to place. It a great spice to throw someone off trying to figure out what you put in the dish, as it’s not common where I live.
Can I Grow Sumac?
Yes you can. The Sumac producing red drupes (berries) suitable for spice production are generally Rhus staghorn or Rhus coriaria. The seeds can be difficult to germinate and require scarification. According to the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, this shrub or tree is aggressive, grows in clusters and is not best suited for the typical backyard garden. Sumac also functions as an ornamental as the bright red drupes are a lovely feature along a fence or hedge line.
How to Harvest Sumac.
Remove the cluster of red berries, set aside to dry fully. Remove the fine hairs from the fruit and grind to your liking. A blender rather than a coffee grinder works best with sumac drupes. Store in a dry location, up to a year for best quality.
Best Dishes to Showcase Sumac.
-Rice
-Falafel
-hummus
-Roasted vegetables
-Vegetable salads, such a potato salad
RESOURCES
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhus_coriaria
