Sumac: the new super spice that’s here to make your food prettier and tastier
It may not be in every spice drawer yet, but let’s change that: sumac is absolutely delicious! And guess what: it’s good for you too…
Sumac is a fresh, tangy spice made by drying and grinding the ruby-red berries of the sumac plant. It doesn’t just make your food tastier, but prettier too; almost every savory dish gets a lift from a sprinkle of this deep-red powder.
Freshness in an instant
Have you ever heard the theory that when you think your food is missing salt, you should first try adding a squeeze of lemon juice or another acid? There’s a good chance that’s what you’re missing. I’m personally a big fan of a few drops of lemon juice over a good, quickly seared steak, in virtually any soup and also over avocado toast. Well, this beautiful little spice does almost the same thing, with the bonus that it makes your food look even better.
Quietly powerful
If you’re wondering what makes so many Middle Eastern dishes so ‘typical’, there’s a good chance the answer is sumac. It’s the ‘secret’ ingredient in many salads, rice dishes, kebab, stews, salads and mezze, and it’s also found in the editorial team’s favorite za’atar. It’s refreshingly sour and indispensable in Lebanese, Syrian, Armenian and Iranian cuisine, and can be found in almost every Turkish or Moroccan shop around here.
Sumac in or on everything
You can use sumac just like lemon juice in salads (fattoush!), hummus, baba ganoush, dressings or marinades, and sprinkle it over rice, dips and flatbread. It’s also delicious over oven-roasted vegetables or fried eggs. Sprinkle it over fish, meat, chicken or halloumi – you won’t believe the difference.
And healthy too
Additional benefits? It’s one of the best anti-inflammatory spices out there. Did you think turmeric had a monopoly on antioxidants and neutralizing free radicals? Nope. Sumac is your friend here too. American research also shows that consuming 3 grams of sumac daily for 3 months reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Delicious, beautiful and good for you. What’s not to like? We say, run to the store!
