Sumac Seeds

Ameen Foods Sumac Seeds, also known as Sumac Berries, come from the Rhus coriaria shrub, a classic ingredient in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking. These small, deep red berries bring a bright, tangy, lemon-like flavour with a subtle fruity edge. Each dried berry is a small round fruit with a hard seed at the centre and a red, slightly fuzzy coating, and that coating holds most of the sour flavour and colour.

Sumac adds both flavour and colour to food. Use it whole or coarsely ground to season meats like lamb and chicken, or sprinkle it over salads, dips, and rice dishes for a touch of tartness that can easily replace lemon juice or vinegar. To grind your own sumac, pulse the berries briefly in a spice grinder, then sieve out the hard seed pieces and use the red powder. Whole berries can also be soaked in warm water and strained, giving a tart red liquid for stews, rice and marinades in place of lemon juice.

Visually striking and naturally sour, Sumac Berries are a staple for chefs who love authentic Mediterranean balance: rich, savoury dishes lifted by a clean, citrusy note. Whole berries keep their colour and aroma longer than ground sumac, so grind in small batches and store the rest sealed in a cool, dark place.

Botanical name: Rhus coriaria
Also known as: Sumac Berries, Whole Sumac, Whole Sumac Berries, Sumach Seeds, Rhus coriaria Seeds, Sumak Beeren, Baies de Sumac, Semillas de Zumaque, ズマックの実, توت السماق, سماق