Sumac

The sumac tree grows wild throughout the eastern Mediterranean, and it produces a small, red berry that is harvested at the end of the summer, dried in bunches and then ground to a powder that varies in colour from deep red to maroon. This powder is used in Lebanese, Syrian and Turkish cooking especially. It has a sour lemony flavour (traditionally substituted for lemons when they were out of season), and is used among other things to season salads like Fattoush, chicken, yoghurt and kebabs. It is available in Lebanese and Turkish shops (see Suppliers).