Sumac

Sumac is the dried berries of a shrub native to the Middle East. A rusty red spice, sumac is unusual for its complexity: a lemony tart and astringent flavour and aromatic with pine, woody and citrus notes. Sumac is available whole or ground. It is used abundantly in Middle Eastern cuisine and adds a pleasant tangy accent to whatever it touches. Apart from sprinkling as a garnish on mezzes for a colour splash, sumac is a key ingredient in the herbaceous spice mix za’atar, which combines sumac with thyme, sesame seeds, oregano and majoram.

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