Sumac Extract
A dark reddish-brown, intensely sour liquid sauce made by soaking dried sumac berries in water and straining them, or by pressing them. It is used in sauces and marinades as an alternative to ground sumac.
What Is Sumac Extract?
Sumac extract is a flowing, dark reddish-brown sauce made by soaking dried sumac berries in hot water and straining them, or by pressing them. It is the concentrated liquid form of the sour, fruity flavor found in ground sumac.
In Middle Eastern and Southeastern Anatolian cuisines, it is preferred in recipes that call for a uniform tartness, unlike ground sumac, whose coarse texture does not blend into sauces.
Sumac Extract Nutrition
One hundred grams of sumac extract contains about 40 kcal of energy; it is low in calories and contains trace amounts of natural fruit acids and vitamin C from sumac. Values vary by brand and are approximate.
How Should Sumac Extract Be Consumed?
Like other sour sauces, sumac extract is used in moderate amounts as part of a balanced diet, as an ingredient in salads and marinades.
This information is general; sumac extract is a food, not a medical treatment.
How to Choose Sumac Extract
Good sumac extract is dark reddish-brown, has a distinctly sour, fruity aroma, and contains few additives, as shown on the ingredient list.
- It should be dark reddish-brown
- It should have a distinct sour, fruity aroma
- The ingredient list should be clean, with few additives
How to Store Sumac Extract
Sumac extract can be stored for a few months in a sealed bottle in the refrigerator; keeping it cold after opening helps preserve its freshness.
How to Use Sumac Extract in the Kitchen
Sumac extract is used most often in salad dressings, kebab marinades, and onion-sumac salad (especially alongside grilled meat); compared with ground sumac, it blends more easily and gives a more uniform tartness.
Can Sumac Extract Be Used Like Ground Sumac?
They serve similar purposes, but the liquid form blends more easily into sauces, while the ground form is preferred for garnishes and dry marinades; they can partially substitute for each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can sumac extract be made at home?
Yes; a simple version can be made at home by soaking dried sumac berries in hot water for several hours and straining them.
What can be used instead of sumac extract?
Lemon juice can provide similar tartness, but it does not fully reproduce sumac’s characteristic fruity, tannic note.
Is sumac extract available in Türkiye?
It is not widely available; it may be found at specialty spice and Middle Eastern food stores, and it is also easy to make at home.