I discovered this spice when I went for a healthy alternative at a take-away and got a salad. The take-away was run by an Egyptian guy who asked if I wanted “herbs and spices” on my salad. Of course I said yes. I asked him what it was that he put on it and he told me it was his secret recipe. All he could tell me was that it contained sumac. I had no idea what this was at the time, and forgot the name instantly. It was only until I was in a health store recently, that I saw this on a shelf. It rang a bell in my head, so I bought it to try it out. This stuff is great!

Don’t confused the spice Sumac with Sumac the poison, also known as poison oak. The spice is not a danger to you at all. They are related though, as they both come from the berry of a plant called Rhus Coriaria. The spice was once used to calm the stomach, but it is now used to flavour dishes.

So, what do you put it on? It is good used as a dry rub on meat and fish and mixed into rice. I love it on salad. It saves having to put dressing on it. Of course, it goes well in any middle eastern dish, as that is where it comes from. Oh, it’s a great seasoning on chips/fries too. There is so much you can do with it.