AI-generated illustration.
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What is it?
Sumac is a spice made from ground berries. Prepared products may also contain salt; Bart lists this in its blend.
«Tart and fruity, with a dry character.»
Background
Sumac usually comes as a reddish powder you can sprinkle straight over food. Read the ingredients before assuming the jar contains only sumac.
Flavour profile
Tart and fruity, with a dry character. It gives a different result from pouring on lemon juice.
Pairs well with
Onion, salads, yoghurt, chicken, lamb and roast vegetables.
Sprinkle a little over finished food and taste. Check whether the product contains salt before salting the rest of the dish.
Did you know?
Some products contain both sumac and salt. With a new jar, you may therefore need to adjust how much extra salt you use.
Common mistakes
Assuming every jar contains pure ground berries, or using colour to judge how much a dish needs.
Know the difference
Sumac and lemon juice can both add tartness, but contribute different amounts of liquid, texture and aroma.
Good to know
Use a dry spoon and keep the powder away from steam, especially when using it as a finishing seasoning.
Other flavours to try
Pul biber, cumin, parsley and olive oil.
Try it with
Toss thinly sliced onion with a little sumac, parsley and olive oil to serve with grilled food.
When to go easy
A dish that is already very tart does not need more sumac. Taste before sprinkling.
Storage
Keep the spice tightly closed somewhere dark and dry, away from cooker steam. Smell it before use, and buy only what you need. Follow the advice on the packet for fresh or processed products.
Try it yourself
Divide some yoghurt in two. Add a little sumac to one and a few drops of lemon to the other. Compare without expecting identical results. A tasting idea for your kitchen, not a Sapidus test result.
1 claims linked to sources.
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