Sumac is one of those elusive spices that most people could easily go a lifetime without noticing. Yet, the moment someone is introduced to it, they will always keep wanting more of it.
Sumac is a spice with an extremely unique taste – very citrusy, which we liken to lime and berries. The best variety we’ve uncovered thus far comes from Lebanon, arguably one of the biggest consumers. It’s also a country that has a long-standing history with Sumac. You can read more about Sumac here, for now let’s discuss cooking!
Sumac can be used in a variety of ways, and is one of the signature spices in many middle eastern dishes. Of these, the most popular is undoubtedly Zaatar on bread. Zaatar is a popular spice blend used in the middle east for flavouring meats, kebabs, and also makes the perfect spread for bread.
Recipe taken from Girl Meets Cooking | Celia Hu (thanks for the feature Celia!), read the editorialised version on her site.
Recipe: Za’atar
Ingredients
1/4 cup sumac
1/4 cup oregano
1/4 cup thyme
1/4 cup sesame seeds (toasted)
1 tbls of finely ground salt, we prefer Black Salt.
1 tbls good quality olive oil
Method
1. This recipe could not be simpler. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Scoop and spread onto bread.
3. Drizzle with olive oil.
3. Bake in the oven at 180C for 10 minutes.
Optional: Instead of olive oil, use thin slices of halloumi cheese to coat the bread. The melted cheese and spices pair wonderfully together! This is one of the popular ways to eat Za’atar on bread in Dubai and Lebanon.
Current market price for Sumac
5G (0.17 OZ) SAMPLE PRICE: USD 2
50G (1.8 OZ) PRICE: USD 6
200G (7.1 OZ) PRICE: USD 14
500G (17.6 OZ) PRICE: USD 28