When many Individuals hear the phrase “sumac,” the following phrase that involves thoughts is “poison”: A leafy shrub with white berries, poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) causes itchy rashes. However there’s one other sumac that’s been recognized throughout a lot of the world for hundreds of years, and this one solely tickles style buds.
Sumac is likely one of the tastiest and most used souring brokers within the Center East, with a deliciously tart, tangy taste much like, however not as robust as, lemon juice. It’s comprised of the dried berries of the sumac bush (Rhus coriaria)—typically known as Sicilian sumac—and is a local of the Jap Mediterranean, the Caucasus, and Iran; different varieties are present in Asia, the Pacific, and North America. The phrase sumac derives from the Aramaic summaq, that means “darkish pink,” though the precise coloration of sumac can differ from vibrant pink to deep burgundy in response to the season and the place it’s grown.
Sumac berries could also be dried and used complete, soaked, or floor into a rough powder that’s used to taste all types of breads, rice pilafs, salad dressings, dips, soups, beans, and vegetable dishes. In southern Anatolia, sumac berries are historically used to make a form of cordial or pink lemonade or a refreshing tea. Sumac is broadly utilized in Iran, Armenia, Syria, and Lebanon, in addition to modern-day Israel, the place it’s sprinkled on every thing from fried eggs, fish, poultry, and kebabs to falafel, hummus, and yogurt.
Even individuals who don’t assume they’ve tried sumac in all probability have, in the event that they’ve eaten Center Jap meals: Sumac is likely one of the essential substances of za’atar—a spice combine made with toasted sesame seeds, sumac, thyme, and oregano that has been used within the area since biblical instances. Za’atar could be added to yogurt to make a fast, easy-to-prepare sauce. It additionally makes a scrumptious dip when mixed with labneh (yogurt cheese) or mashed feta, crushed garlic, additional virgin olive oil, and contemporary mint. Za’atar offers a tang to roast hen, fried fish, baked potatoes, or roast pumpkin, in addition to savory pastries and flat breads. It’s typically utilized in salad dressings and marinades or sprinkled over all types of mezze and dips—particularly baba ghanoush (roast eggplant with tahini) and fattoush (the Center Jap bread, romaine lettuce, and herb salad). In Israel, za’atar is used to taste bagels and fatayar—cheese or vegetable turnovers which might be a lot liked by Israelis and Palestinians alike. One other Palestinian dish typically made in Israel is musakhan, which consists of flatbreads topped with caramelized onions, toasted pine nuts, sumac, and roast hen.
Sephardic Jews from Turkey and Bulgaria typically sprinkle sumac over piyazi—a white bean salad with chopped pink onions, tomato, parsley, inexperienced olives, and hardboiled eggs. When mixed with pomegranate molasses it offers a beautiful sweet-sour twist to a beet and yogurt salad. If you’re feeling daring, you possibly can attempt including slightly sumac to a bloody mary or one other cocktail. Its citrus taste additionally goes very properly with vodka.
If you wish to experiment with sumac, attempt sprinkling it over fish and chips, vegetable fritters, stuffed grape leaves, toasted nuts, and even popcorn. Cubes of fried eggplant mixed with diced child cucumbers, tomatoes, chopped inexperienced onions, black olives, and herbs makes a tasty mezze. Yemeni Jews typically stuff hen with a mix of rice, dried fruit, chopped almonds, walnuts, and sumac, after which roast it within the oven with orange juice. Greens—particularly eggplant, zucchini, or bell peppers—could be filled with a mix of rice, tomato paste, pink pepper paste, herbs, black olives, and chile, then cooked on high of the range in water flavored with sumac. Or you possibly can put together a scrumptious salad with crumbled white cheese or feta, chopped pink onions, tomatoes, and finely chopped flat leaf parsley, topped with a easy dressing of additional virgin olive oil, lemon juice, contemporary oregano, and sumac.
Sumac doesn’t solely have culinary makes use of. Due to its excessive ranges of tannins, the leaves and bark of the sumac bush have been used for hundreds of years within the leather-based trade. Actually, its Hebrew identify is og ha-bursaka’im, that means “tanner’s sumac.” Leather-based tanned with sumac turns into mild in each weight and coloration and notably extra versatile. Sumac has additionally been utilized in natural drugs for millennia. The Romans used it as a diuretic and for flatulence. Additionally they used the important oil of sumac to taste olive oil and vinegar. In line with the Greek doctor Pedanius Dioscorides, sumac was astringent, antiseptic, and tonic.
Even as we speak, sumac is appreciated for its many well being advantages. it’s wealthy in polyphenols and antioxidants, that are mentioned to neutralize free radicals and should lower the danger of cancer, liver damage, and heart disease. Sumac can be mentioned to be helpful in reducing blood sugar in folks with Type 2 diabetes, in addition to rising ranges of excellent ldl cholesterol. Latest research recommend the antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties of sumac extract could also be effective in opposition to COVID-19. One phrase of warning: As sumac is a associated to cashews and mangoes, it must be prevented by anybody allergic to those meals.
The efficiency of sumac can differ from 12 months to 12 months, so chances are you’ll want to regulate the amount in response to how robust it’s. Generally salt is added so take care that you just don’t oversalt your dishes. Alternatively, you possibly can search for a model that accommodates no salt. You must also test the label to see if any synthetic coloring has been added—if sumac adjustments the colour of your meals to pink, you then could be certain it consists of synthetic dyes. Sumac is finest saved in a tightly sealed jar to stop it changing into damp, as it may possibly get clumpy. It’s available in most Center Jap shops or within the Center Jap part of your native grocery store or well being retailer.
