Table of Contents
How to Make the Spice Sumac and Sumac Lemon Pepper Step 1: Collect Your Sumac and Supplies. Warning Do not eat any wild food unless you can positively identify it. Step 2: Grind Your Sumac Berries. Step 3: Strain the Seeds Out of Your Sumac. Step 4: Make Red “lemon” Pepper and Enjoy.
Can I make my own sumac spice?
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 sumac spice will keep nice and fresh for about a year.
What is sumac spice made of?
What is sumac? This wine-coloured ground spice is one of the most useful but least known and most underappreciated. Made from dried berries, it has an appealing lemon-lime tartness that can be widely used. In Iran, they use it as a condiment, putting it onto the table with salt and pepper.
What Herb is similar to sumac?
Ground Coriander Ground coriander would be my first choice as an alternative spice to sumac because it has a similar lemony flavour. Coriander is more earthy and much less vibrant but it will add a pleasing freshness in a similar way to sumac. Especially good for dishes where the sumac is going to be cooked.
How do you dry sumac berries for spice?
Cones can be dried by placing them in a paper bag and hanging them somewhere dark and dry for 2 – 4 weeks. Or, break apart the cones and dry them at 95F in your dehydrator. Dried sumac should last for a year or two in an airtight jar.
Is all sumac poisonous?
All parts of a poison sumac plant are poisonous and the oils remain active even after the plant dies. Symptoms of a poison sumac rash appear 8–48 hours after exposure and can last for weeks. Some people are more sensitive to the plants and will have harsher symptoms.
Can you eat sumac?
Food Use. The most commonly eaten parts of sumac plants are the ripe red berries. These acidic and tart berries can be eaten raw or dried, though they’re most popularly used in the form of a berry tea or sumac-ade. The roots and shoots of these sumac plants are also eaten peeled and raw during the spring.
What spice can replace sumac?
What Can You Substitute for Sumac Spice? Given its tart, acidic flavor, sumac is best substituted with lemon zest, lemon pepper seasoning, lemon juice, or vinegar. However, each of these substitutes has a more overpoweringly sour taste than sumac and should therefore be used sparingly as a replacement for the spice.
Is sumac the same as Zaatar?
As nouns the difference between sumac and zaatar is that sumac is any of various shrubs or small trees of the genus rhus including the poison ivy and poison oak while zaatar is a particular herb, similar in flavor to thyme or oregano, used in arab and israeli cuisine, made from various middle eastern herbs.
Where do you get sumac?
Ground sumac can be found in the spice aisle of well-stocked supermarkets or in the international foods section along with the Middle Eastern products. Specialty grocers and Middle Eastern markets should carry ground sumac and may have the whole berries in stock. You can also find both forms of sumac online.
Does sumac have another name?
All About Sumac | Sumac is also spelt as Sumak, Sumack, Sumach, or Summac (Rhus coriaria) The dried fruits of some Sumach species are ground to produce a tangy, crimson spice popular in many countries. This spice is quite sour.
Is sumac good for health?
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.
How do you harvest and process sumac?
Dried sumac berries. To harvest the berries, simply cut the clusters, called “bobs” away from the trees. Roll a couple of the velvety berries between your fingers and then give your finger a lick – you’ll taste the tartness! You can use the berries as they are, or you can dry them for use throughout the winter.
What kind of sumac is edible?
Smooth sumac has edible berries and poisonous but medicinal leaves.
How can you tell the difference between sumac and poison sumac?
Poison sumac has clusters of white or light-green berries that sag downward on its branches, while the red berries of harmless sumac sit upright. Also, each stem on the poison sumac plant has a cluster of leaflets with smooth edges, while harmless sumac leaves have jagged edges.
What does sumac spice taste like?
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.
What does harmless sumac look like?
Elongated Leaves: Rather than being smaller at one end, harmless sumac leaves are usually the same width from one end to the other. They have a midrib and serrated edges. Red, Tufted, Upright Seed-Pods: The trees have small greenish/white flowers in the springtime.
