Sumac

A dried, ground fruit, sumac is used in cooking all over the Middle East. It has a dark red colour and a sour flavour, and is perfect to add to stews, which is what the Arab nomads used it for, instead of fresh juicy lemons. They also mixed it into yogurt and sprinkled it over meat and salads, to add a lively fresh taste. It is one of the major ingredients in the Arabic Zaatar spice blend used to flavour everything from kebabs to breakfast bread. Sumac is bought ground and will last about six months in a dry, airtight container, which is kept out of direct sunlight.