Sumac

One of the most ubiquitous souring agents used throughout the Middle East, sumac is made from the red berries of the sumac bush, which are first dried and then ground. Most of the sumac sold in our store comes from Turkey, although at one time Syria was a large producer, as are parts of the Mediterranean. It’s a versatile ingredient that can be cooked into a dish or used as a finishing element. Sumac brings a lot of what a squeeze of lemon juice does to the party, with the advantage that it doesn’t add moisture or water down your sauces the way juice does. In fact, sumac will actually draw liquid from vegetables like cucumbers and tomatoes, so wait to add it to your dishes just before serving, or it will dilute the flavors.