Spice Spotlight: Sumac

Sumac has been used as a ground spice for thousands of years, especially throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East. Although it’s a natural addition to traditional dips like hummus and baba ganoush, this spice is also exceptionally versatile. It’s an excellent, tangy addition to a wide range of dishes and food products.

In this article, the food experts at Hela Spice will explore all things sumac. We will explain its unique flavour profile, history, and many uses. Keep reading to learn more.

What is Sumac?

Sumac is a spice commonly used in Middle Eastern cooking. It’s dark burgundy in colour (sometimes called crimson red). Fittingly, its name comes from the Arabic word “summaq,” which means dark red.

This spice is made from pulverized dried sumac berries. The berries are harvested from the Rhus Coriaria shrub (also known as Sicilian sumac, Iranian sumac, and Syrian sumac) before being dried, ground, and then sifted to remove the bitter inner seed. The resulting powder is coarse, crimson-coloured, and astringent.

Sumac shrubs belong to the same family as pistachios, cashews, and mangoes: the Anacardiaceae family. You can also purchase whole dried sumac berries; however, ground powder is more common for seasoning.

What does Sumac taste like?

The flavour of sumac is very complex and nuanced. It’s tangy, bright, astringent, with hints of sweetness and notes of floral citrus. Sumac is often compared to the taste of freshly squeezed lemon juice, only slightly sweet and fruity. Additionally, sumac possesses some mild smokiness and earthiness.

Sumac’s astringent qualities means that it stands out in dishes. It offers a gentle sourness commonly found in Middle Eastern cooking. Furthermore, it pairs well with citrus flavours.

The History of Sumac

Sumac plants originate in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions. Ancient Greek and Roman societies used sumac for cooking, medicine, and to dye wool. For example, sumac was used as an antiseptic, a diuretic, and to aid digestion.

Romans also added sumac to dishes for a bite of citrusy tanginess. In fact, before lemons reached Europe around 1000 AD, sumac was used to add a citrus-like quality to dishes throughout the continent.

Sumac was traded throughout the Ottoman Empire’s territories, which is how it was introduced to parts of Eastern Europe and Asia. It continued to be traded on the Silk Road, where it was considered a valuable commodity. Along the way, it was introduced to new regions and cultures.

How to Use Sumac

Sumac can be used as a finishing spice to season completed dishes with a burst of tanginess. It can be sprinkled over fattoush salad, fried eggs, popcorn, french fries, sandwich mixes, or avocado toast.

Furthermore, sumac is a natural addition to hummus, as the sour spice contrasts wonderfully with the nutty flavours of the dip. Other dips also benefit from a sprinkling of sumac, like smoky baba ganoush or labneh. For a simple, zingy spread, simply stir sumac into tahini or mayo.

Sumac perfectly elevates simple salad dressings, like a vinaigrette for the Lebanese fattoush salad.

Since the taste of sumac is so similar to that of freshly squeezed lemon, it can be used to bring a lemony quality to dishes without having to add more liquid. This is precisely why sumac works so well in fattoush (and other wetness-prone salads).

When working with an abundance of juicy ingredients like cucumbers and tomatoes, an addition of a liquid dressing or freshly squeezed lemon can “flood” the rest of the ingredients. Sumac, consequently, is an excellent option for achieving those citrusy notes without excessive liquid.

However, ground sumac can also be applied during cooking. It pairs beautifully with various meats and vegetables. For example, sumac works well as a meat rub or marinade for lamb, duck, chicken, pork, and fish.

The tanginess of the sumac cuts through the fattiness of certain meats while bringing a bright and earthy flavour to seafood. Sumac is also scrumptious over vegetable dishes like roasted cauliflower or baked sweet potato.

A final (perhaps surprising) use for sumac is in desserts. Those delectable citrus notes are well-suited to baked goods, ice cream, or fresh fruit.

Ultimately, sumac is an extremely versatile spice that brings complexity and brightness to a variety of dishes and food products. As an acidulant, sumac can also bring out the natural flavours of the foods that it’s cooked with. This makes it a powerful ingredient that’s full of potential!

If you’re curious how to integrate this crismon-red spice into your product line, ask the food experts at Hela Spice.

Substitutes for Sumac

Sumac’s complexity makes it difficult to substitute, especially with just one ingredient. Lemon zest can be used in its place; however, it lacks sumac’s flavourful depth. By combining lemon zest, a little kosher salt, and black pepper, you begin to get close to sumac’s unique flavour profile. You can also add a pinch of paprika for a burst of red colour. Alternatively, tamarind possesses a similar tartness and sweetness.

The spice blend za’atar contains sumac, so it can be used as a substitute in certain instances.

Poison Sumac vs. Edible Sumac

There are some varieties of sumac that you do not want to cook with or consume at all! In North America, you can find poison sumac shrubs. These grow in damp, swampy areas, and every part of the plant is poisonous.

Like poison ivy and poison oak, poison sumac contains urushiol, which is a toxic compound. Even brushing against the stems and leaves will leave your skin with an itchy red rash.

Poison sumac also has white berries, whereas edible sumac possesses deep red berries.

Food Product Development and Custom Spice Blending

Sumac is an incredible ingredient because of its complex flavour and versatility. It can be used to add a lemony brightness to dishes (without excessive liquid), bring out the natural flavours of a recipe, or cut through the inherent richness of some meats and vegetables with its tanginess. Therefore, sumac is also a fantastic addition to your food products or custom spice offerings.

Hela Spice is ready to recommend uses for new and exciting approaches for sumac. After all, we have been crafting best-selling food products and mouth-watering flavours for more than 100 years! We are North America’s leading food product development company.

To learn more about food product development from Hela Spice, visit our website or contact us here.