Sumac
Tart and fruity, with a dry character. It gives a different impression from liquid lemon juice.
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. It gives a different impression from liquid lemon juice.»
Background
Sumac usually comes as a reddish powder ready to sprinkle over food. Check the ingredients before treating it as a pure ingredient.
Flavour profile
Tart and fruity, with a dry character. It gives a different impression from liquid 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?
A product may contain both sumac and salt. This means two jars may require different amounts of extra salt.
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.
A little spice knowledge
Use a dry spoon and keep the powder away from steam, especially when using it as a finishing seasoning.
Works well with
Pul biber, cumin, parsley and olive oil.
Sapidus’ favourite partners
Toss thinly sliced onion with a little sumac, parsley and olive oil to serve with grilled food.
Never combine with?
A dish that is already very tart does not need more sumac. Taste before sprinkling.
Storage
Store tightly closed, dark and dry, away from cooker steam. Smell before use and buy an amount suited to your consumption. Follow the packaging advice 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. This suggestion is not presented as a test carried out by Sapidus.
1 claims linked to sources.
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