Keep in mind that my experiences refer to these species in the Midwest, and other kinds might need to be treated a little differently. Why not try some this summer? Required fields are marked *, Welcome to Fresh Flavorful where you'll find easy recipes and simple ideas for eating, entertaining and adventuring your way to a fresh, flavorful life. They are sweet and delicious, much like raspberry stalks. A typical staghorn sumac berry cluster at the peak of ripeness for lemonade-making. Poison sumac also differs in that it rarely grows in dense, pure stands, and in that it inhabits swamps rather than dry areas. They are common on rural roadsides, along railroad tracks and fence rows, and in old fields and other open habitats. Staghorn Sumac Tree Facts. Dry and/or vacuum seal and freeze to use in cooking year round! What a wonderful gift from nature we can harvest even in … If you make this or any of my dishes, I'd love to know! There are numerous other species of sumac in North America, and at least one is found in almost every inhabited part of the continent. https://phillipsfarmbatavia.com/2017/08/20/staghorn-sumac-lemonade-and-jelly Allow to sit for half an hour, and strain. The large clusters are so easy to collect that in just a few moments you can have enough for a pitcher of wild Kool-Aid that kids will love. By Sam Thayer – Sumac is a common, well-known and easily recognized feature of the rural North American landscape. A dark purple coloration usually indicates that the flavor of the fruit has developed fully, yet some of the best clusters I’ve tasted were light pink. Made like a cold brew tea Sumac Lemonade is just sumac and water. Staghorn Sumac and smooth sumac are hiding in plain sight! The Ojibwa took a decoction of Fragrant Sumac root to stop diarrhea. (Laurel sumac Malosma laurina, found in the West, is not a true sumac and is reportedly not edible.). You want to get the berries when they are dark red and fully mature, so that they have fully developed their tart flavor, but before the rain has had the opportunity to wash the flavor out. Also, I’ve seen many medical personnel recommend that people who easily form kidney stones should consume as little oxalate as possible, so sumac “lemonade” would be a “no-no” for those people. Please be aware that the yummy sour taste of sumac berries is due to their calcium oxalate content. How much is too much sumac lemonade? Cut the bobs–the waxiest ones you can find–oozing the white stuff over the red [or purplish] drupes. Hi Mary, I am not a doctor and am not giving medical advice and can only speak to my own experience. Strain through a fine mesh strainer, clean kitchen towel or coffee filter than sweeten to taste with … Sumac “berries” are really just seeds covered with a thin coating of flavoring substance and hairs. Foragers call … Although I have found good-tasting berries into April, this is the exception; around here the vast majority of them are spent by the end of August. Quite a few people assume that all sumacs are “poison sumac.” Poison sumac, however, is distinctly different from the true sumacs and is, fortunately, less common. Note: will keep for up to 3 days refrigerated. Strain through a fine mesh strainer, clean kitchen towel or coffee filter than sweeten to taste with sweetener of your choice. The leaves are large — sometimes more than two feet long — and compound, with each leaflet lanceolate and serrated. Its fruits contain high doses of vitamin C and tannin compounds. Leave for up to 2 days before straining for maximum color. © 2021, Countryside - All Rights Reserved, Extract Natural Dye for Wool from Goldenrod Plants, Why Teach Classes on How to Knit, Spin, Weave or Felt, Countryside Machinery on the Homestead e-edition Flip Book. Staghorn sumac fruits can be used to prepare lemonade, all that has to be done is to prepare a decoction from the fruits. Sumac Lemonade + simple syrup + vodka (or gin) either mixed ahead of time or mixed straight in the glass. Be sure to follow @freshflavorful on instagram and tag me or use #onearmedmamacooks. When the flavor is to your liking, just strain the drink through a cheesecloth to remove seeds and hairs. It’s probably the only reason I ever remember to go harvest them! sign up to get all recipes delivered straight to your inbox, November 9, 2019 by ONE armed MAMA 4 Comments. Staghorn Sumac is such a great tree that I think everyone should take a closer look at it. Since sumac is related to cashews and mangoes, anyone allergic to those foods should avoid it, or proceed with extreme caution. Pouring boiling or hot water over the berries makes for poor flavor, for it leaches tannin from the stems, causing the drink to become bitter. Your email address will not be published. This juice is made from either the staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) or … Some people add sugar, but I prefer it without. Prairie sumac Rhus lanceolata occurs in Texas and parts of Oklahoma and New Mexico; Mearn’s sumac R. choriophylla grows in southern Arizona and New Mexico; lemonade berry R. integrifolia grows in southern California; shining sumac R. copallina is found over the southern half of eastern North America, smooth sumac R. glabra is found throughout the eastern U. S. and scattered in the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains; fragrant sumac R. aromatica and the very similar basket bush R. trilobata are found in mountainous or rocky situations from coast to coast, south into Mexico and north into Canada. Lightly floral, tart and refreshing it’s delicious as-is or used as a mixer in cocktails and mocktails. Remove all the leaves. What most commonly grows across North America is a close cousin in the sumac family, rhus typhina or more commonly called Staghorn Sumac. I have personally brewed this beverage from staghorn, smooth, and shining sumacs on many occasions. and easing cramps, a natural diuretic helpful in eliminating wastes and toxins from the body. When researching it’s easy to find a whole slew of documents about the health benefits but very difficult to find much about the risks of sumac. The first step is to harvest the berries. Delicious as-is straight from the glass you could also use Sumac Lemonade as a base for other creations like sumac beer, wine, and kombucha.Or mix up sumac mocktails and cocktails. Although the current recommendations are that consuming sumac berries is very safe, just as consuming spinach is, anyone who is typically medically susceptible to food allergies and health problems should understand that food writers are unable to list every potential health concern for each individual person of each individual recipe ingredient and should use their own best judgment when trying foods for the first time. More commonly, the problem is that the berries are collected long after their flavor has been washed out by rain. The poison sumac Toxicodendron vernix is classified in a different genus (along with poison ivy and poison oak). Just make sure to include steeping time in the total three day shelf life. Sumac Lemonade brewed from foraged sumac berries and cool water tastes like lemonade without any lemons! (If you’re using staghorn sumac, then go for the hairiest ones–that’s where the flavor is.) How to make sumac lemonade: For most people, in small amounts, this is not harmful, but in large amounts, can potentially be toxic. Particularly good harvest? The staghorn sumac, named for the velvety covering on its new branches, similar to the velvet on a stags new antlers, is a common and widespread species of edible sumac. They are amazing plants for pollinators and overlooked by almost everyone! The Natchez used the Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica) root to treat boils. In this video I go over how to identify the Staghorn Sumac and how to make Sumac Lemonade. How much can you safely drink in one day? Personally, I’ve consumed an entire batch of sumac lemonade in one day by myself with no issues. There are many ways to cook with both fresh and dried sumac. Learn More →, Copyright © 2021 Fresh Flavorful on the Foodie Pro Theme. Even though it’s best to harvest early before rain washes away color and flavor sumac can be harvested year round. Staghorn Sumac parts were used in similar medicinal remedies. It shares the Latin name rhus with hundreds of other species, several of which are “poisonous,” but not lethal. 1 cup unsalt, Just when I thought my holiday baking was over I f, Croissant French Toast Bake // perfect for slow Su, Homemade Irish Cream has been my go-to handmade ho, early pioneers treated coughs, sore throats and fevers with sumac, while American Indians used these berries to treat anything from reproductive problems to stomachaches and wound, Blackberry Infused Earl Grey Iced Tea Latte, full of antioxidants like pyranoanthocyanins with the anti-inflammatory power to  neutralize cancer, prevent heart disease + the early signs of aging + help skin conditions & reduce body pain, helpful in increasing milk production (hello, citrusy mother’s milk cookies!) Staghorn sumac or Rhus typhina grows throughout the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada. The petite, merci: MN Staghorn Sumac Lemonade and Kombucha! Sumac And sumac’s tart, citrusy berries have many Read More →, Inspired by the magic that happens when people gather around the table, connect with one another, and pursue their passions through all the stages of life, Fresh Flavorful was created in the Spring of 2013 (formerly ONE armed MAMA.com) helping others eat, entertain and adventure their way to a Fresh Flavorful Life. Sumac’s citrusy flavor is great with chicken, fish, lamb and grains. Taste each cluster as you harvest to assure yourself that you are collecting something with flavor since occasionally they are bland. That does leave more for us, but either way, there’s plenty of sumac to go around. Staghorn Sumac Those striking red berry clusters are edible!! They are extremely intolerant of shade and are rarely found in any type of mature forest. One of my all-time favorite drinks for the late summer and early fall is Sumac Lemonade. There are other things that can be done with sumac-ade. Your email address will not be published. “Making the lemonade is simple. I also cover some of the medicinal properties of the Sumac. Sumac berries (or “drupes” which is their proper label) are a wild treat that can be found in wooded areas all over... Rinse your sumac in cool water to remove any of the “outdoor elements” that might be clinging to them. Sometimes a white, sticky substance coats the berry heads; this is pure essence of sumac flavor-don’t let it scare you off. Smooth Sumac and Staghorn Sumac are common "roadside" plants in North America. culinary uses and a TON of health benefits. Sumac leaves turn from their summer shades of bright yellow and green to red and orange in late summer to early fall signaling that it’s also time to start foraging. I usually just snap off the twig that bears the cluster by bending it quickly, although some people use pruning shears or a knife. Aside from its use as a spice, Sumac makes for an excellent and quite refreshing drink that rivals lemonade. The leaf edges of poison sumac are smooth, while those of the edible eastern sumacs are toothed. The surface of the fruit is fuzzy or grainy. Staghorn sumac is a small tree or large shrub, usually eight to 20 feet tall although I’ve seen a few as tall as 35 feet. Pick away any sticks or other leaves that might be clinging to your sumac clusters then break apart and remove berries from the woody sticks. Staghorn sumac bark is smooth, thin, dark gray, and the inner bark, which is slightly sweet to chew on, is light green. It is primarily found in southeastern Canada, the northeastern and midwestern United States, and the Appalachian Mountains, but it is widely cultivated as an ornamental throughout the temperate world. I cant believe how potent, viscous and delicious the resulting liquid is. Wild sumac is easily identified in autumn by its bright red compound leaves and cluster of red berries that form in a cone shape. Use it in marinades, dressings, dips and sprinkled on top of all sorts of dishes. Yes, there is some debate among foragers and health professionals regarding the safety of consuming foods high in oxalic acid, such as spinach, chives, and cilantro, due to over consumption possibly forming calcium oxalate crystals and leading to kidney stones. This and other species of true sumac usually grow in pure stands that propagate themselves by rhizomes. Consult a field guide for your region. My children snack on the sumac drupes and we eat a lot of meals flavored with za’atar as well as use sumac in other ways without issue. The longer it brews the stronger and more intense the flavor. Cover with water and use your hands to agitate the water and the berries. Amazing free (grows on "weeds" in Ontario) ,delicious, and high in vitamin C. Collect the berries, soak in water for 24 hours, filter through two coffee filters. Well past fall but there’s still sumac on the tree? You can expect to find good ones if you taste around, until early October and sometimes later and there are always those with just a hint of flavor. It bears little resemblance to Staghorn sumac, in my mind, principally because poison sumac has white berries. It’s okay! Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) is a deciduous shrub or small tree that belongs to the Anacardiaceae family. * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. The staghorn sumac plants produce a milky latex that will stain your clothes dark brown. Your email address will not be published. Here’s a soil fact about sumacs: They require well-drained soil, and can thrive on dry sites. The two can be easily distinguished: Poison sumac has large white berries, and Staghorn Sumac has much smaller red hairy berries. Sumac Jello: Mix the prepared juice with unflavored gelatin per instruction on package. The flavor is transformed and weakened somewhat by the boiling, so be sure to use a very strong sumac brew for the jelly. In late summer and early fall bright pink sumac clusters pop up on sumac trees growing wild all over North America, especially along the eastern United States. Staghorn Sumac Lemonade! This shrub, which causes reactions even more readily and severely than its better-known brethren, is confined to the east. Staghorn Sumac Lemonade. Best known for being an essential ingredient in Za’atar spice sumac adds zing to anything you mix it in or sprinkle it on! All of the true (edible) sumacs have dark reddish or purple fruit borne in erect, tight clusters. I pluck about six to eight average-sized clusters for a pitcher of sumac-ade. Large clones are tallest in the center, getting gradually shorter towards the outside, creating the illusion of a gentle hill where there is none. Unfortunately, the fact that it shares names with a tree of ill-repute has caused many to shun it. If still flavorful, harvest and use as directed, washing well before using. Sumac has been used for centuries in the Middle East & Mediterranean as a flavoring & is what gives za’atar blends their zing! As previously mentioned, the red-berried true sumacs have been widely used to brew a tart and refreshing drink. Also, people who are sensitive or allergic to mangoes, pistachios, and cashews are best advised to avoid sumac due to the fact that they are all related. If you desire a stronger tasting beverage, strain and then add … Originally published in Countryside July / August 2003 and regularly vetted for accuracy. This concentrate made a wonderful and very tart jelly. Add the 1/2 cup of raw honey and fill the container with chlorine-free water. Served chilled. Place sumac berries large pitcher or shallow bowl and cover with water. So good on popcorn at family movie nights! So simply remember: red berries good, white berries bad. Sumac bobs soaking for lemonade. Also, the young, thick, tender tips of sumac shoots (especially staghorn) in early summer can be peeled and eaten raw or cooked. It’s easy to remember. easy to forage for in the wild. The tangy, acidic taste gave the tree its other common name: the vinegar tree. Lemonade. I once prepared a potent sumac concentrate by soaking four batches of berry heads in the same water, one after the other, for one-half hour each. Sumac Rubber Candy: Take on cup of sweetened juice, add two envelopes of gelatin, mix. Instructions Place the sumac in a 1/2 gallon glass container. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. Simply check to make sure mold or mildew hasn’t started to grow on the flower then taste to check for flavor. This drink is delicious, easy to prepare, fun to gather, nutritious, unique and free. Its source is easily accessible to millions of Americans every summer. Our favorite way to use sumac is in lemonade. Cooking with this citrusy herb adds a delicious tart flavor that can’t be substituted, so I suggest taking a look around to see if you have sumac trees in your area. Anybody who tries to differentiate the two will have an easy time of it. You can also post a photo of your dish to the Fresh Flavorful facebook page. Sumac Jelly: Take prepared juice and use the Sure-Jell recipe for elderberry jelly, 3 cups juice to 4.5 cups of sugar. All I do is put a clump or two in a quart of cold water and let steep for 12 to 24 hours. The sumac that is used in the spice blend is one member of the sumac family (genus, rhus), rhus coriraria or more commonly called European Sumac. Is staghorn sumac poisonous? Rhus typhina, the staghorn sumac, is a species of flowering plant in the family Anacardiaceae, native to eastern North America. Sumac is a wild plant that provides a nutritional drink and is easy to locate. Lemonade Sumac ; Sourberry ; Rhus typhina: Staghorn Sumac; Rhus typhina 'Laciniata' Laceleaf Staghorn Sumac; Contact Info. Sharing a genus with poison sumac (Rhus vernix) has unnecessarily blackballed staghorn sumac (R. typhina) from inclusion in many landscape plans. Preparation of the beverage is simple. In most of North America, the first clusters are ready to be plucked sometime in July, with the prime time being in early August. One of the simplest ways to use it is to make Sumac Lemonade [recipe to follow] with fresh bobs, but it can also be dried & used as a spice. My sister made one of the best wines that I have ever tasted from it. The foliage of the Staghorn sumac closely resembles that of ailanthus (tree of heaven or stinktree) and black walnut. It’s Easy to find in the wild with a flavor that can’t be matched staghorn sumac is a fabulous flavor and health-packed plant that can be used fresh or dry to add a bright note and beautiful pink hue to all sorts of dishes like this blush pink cold brewed tea ‘lemonade’. It grows throughout eastern North America as a shrub with bright red terminal conic fruit clusters covered in red tart hairs (Figure 22.1).Rhus hirta fruit had the highest activity in all the assays tested for different types of antioxidant activity (McCune and Johns, 2002). It’s casually called “Sumac-Ade.” They are pioneer plants and quickly spread by rhizomes to colonize erosion prone areas. Yet few people know that these little trees have provided a delicious and refreshing summer drink throughout much of the world for thousands of years. This beverage has been called sumac-ade, rhus-ade, sumac lemonade, Indian lemonade, sumac tea and probably some other names that I have yet to hear. To enjoy this refreshing summer beverage in the middle of winter, it pays to harvest the heads in prime time and dry them, so you don’t have to worry about using mediocre material. It is made from a plant that is widely distributed throughout most of North America and easily identified. I’ve tried steeping the sumac both in the refrigerator and in the sun, but I’ve read that the refrigerator version retains more vitamin C. Staghorn Sumac Germination. Their shape and large cone-like, dark red berry clusters are distinctive and their bright red autumn foliage is hard to forget. Sumac is a shrub or small tree that is common to much of the Great Lakes region and Michigan. A potential mistake is to harvest the berry heads before they are ripe, in which case they will produce an unpleasantly bitter brew. O try my favorite sumac cocktail, the Sumac Spritzer. Filed Under: beverages, eating, recipes Tagged With: eating seasonally, fall, foraging, sumac. The tartness of sumac is partly due to ascorbic acid (vitamin C) so one also has a health incentive to drink this beverage. Crush the berry clusters in the water using a sturdy spoon then allow sumac to soak for at least a few hours or overnight, the longer it soaks the more flavorful it will be. Your email address will not be published. https://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/sumac-lemonade-zmaz09jjzraw Believe it or not, you can make the most refreshing summer beverage from these fuzzy sumac berry clusters! https://www.tngun.com/recipe-sumac-lemonaide-a-free-source-of-asorbic-acid Staghorn Sumac Tea - Top Health Benefits | All Natural Ideas The Staghorn sumac was one of my favorite tree before I even learned to make sumac lemonade. Sumac Lemonade refreshingly, lightly floral and tart this beverage brewed from foraged sumac berries and cool water tastes like lemonade without any lemons! This is only a partial list, so wherever you are, you are probably near some useful species of sumac. Cover loosely with a coffee filter or tea towel. You can use the clumps right away for lemonade or dry them for later. I have only had it in fall when I was a child and thought this old recipe should be resurrected. The twigs are sparse and very thick, and the first-year growth is covered with velvety hairs (like a stag’s horns in velvet). I take my half-dozen berry clusters, cram them into a pitcher, pour cold water over them, crush them up a little with my hand, and then let the pitcher sit in a cool place for a while. Sumac has a unique, tart flavor similar to lemon. Pruning sheers help to make collection easier and less damaging to the plants. Baking pan and refrigerate for an hour or more commonly, the red-berried true sumacs been... 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Gather, nutritious, unique and free is only a partial list, so be sure to use a strong... A beverage from staghorn, smooth, while those of the great Lakes region and Michigan shares with... Lemonade in one day past fall but there ’ s citrusy flavor is to your liking, just strain drink! And staghorn sumac are smooth, and staghorn sumac, many people who heard! My sister made one of my dishes, I am crazy differentiate two! Can only speak to my own experience, Rhus typhina or more also cover some of the united.! A TON of health benefits wild sumac is in lemonade recipes Tagged with: eating seasonally, fall foraging! Is related to cashews and mangoes, anyone allergic to those foods should avoid it, they pronounce delicious! Time of it to colonize erosion prone areas shares names with a light color! Cook with both Fresh and dried sumac and severely than its better-known brethren, is a vine shrub-like! Is due to their calcium oxalate content of Americans every summer fact about:! Ripeness for lemonade-making very tart jelly, fall, foraging, sumac gin either... Wherever you are probably near some useful species of sumac growing wild nearby chances are can... Its use as a mixer in cocktails and mocktails so wherever you are collecting something with flavor since occasionally are... More →, Copyright © 2021 Fresh Flavorful on the flower then to. A decoction from the body yourself that you are probably near some useful species sumac! Is made from a plant that provides a nutritional drink and is easy to locate `` roadside plants! Sumac on the tree its other common name: the vinegar tree: MN staghorn fruits! Lemonade in one day shallow bowl and cover with water are distinctive and bright. Top of all sorts of dishes the staghorn sumac, in which case they will an... And/Or vacuum seal and freeze to use sumac is a shrub or small that. Should be resurrected sign up to 2 days before straining for maximum color on the tree other... And large cone-like, dark red berry clusters are distinctive and their bright red compound leaves cluster! Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet ill-repute has caused to... Occasionally they are extremely intolerant of shade and are rarely found in any type mature. In eliminating wastes and toxins from the body in Countryside July / August and... Make the most refreshing summer beverage from staghorn, smooth, and can thrive on sites. A fine mesh strainer, clean kitchen towel or coffee filter or tea towel originally published in Countryside July August... People add sugar, but either way, there ’ s delicious as-is or used as a in... Total three day shelf life hairiest ones–that ’ s a soil fact about sumacs: they well-drained..., foraging, sumac makes for an excellent and quite refreshing drink that rivals lemonade and sumac... This video I go over how to make sure mold or mildew ’! Quite refreshing drink I was a child and thought this old staghorn sumac lemonade should be resurrected chicken, fish, and! To serve top with sparking water for a pitcher of sumac-ade eliminating wastes and toxins from the.... Damaging to the Anacardiaceae family consumed an entire batch of sumac berries cool. The town where I grew up berries that form in a different genus ( along poison... Grow in pure stands that propagate themselves by rhizomes require well-drained soil, and can only speak my... Causes reactions even more readily and severely than its better-known brethren, is commonly to. Liked as lemonade it shares the Latin name Rhus with hundreds of other species, several of which are poisonous... At the peak of ripeness for lemonade-making are rarely found in the family Anacardiaceae, native to North. Wherever you are, you can also post a photo of your choice and tart beverage... Rural North American landscape be sure to follow @ freshflavorful on instagram and tag me use! Follow @ freshflavorful on instagram and tag me or use # onearmedmamacooks sumac ( Rhus aromatica ) root to diarrhea. And how to make sure mold or mildew hasn ’ t have sumac growing wild chances! With unflavored gelatin per instruction on package large white berries intolerant of shade are. Making a beverage from staghorn, smooth, and leaves of smooth and staghorn sumac are on! Cluster of red berries that form in a different genus ( along with poison ivy and poison ). Any lemons is not harmful, but either way, there ’ s tart, citrusy berries have many uses... Used the Fragrant sumac root to stop diarrhea o try my favorite tree before I learned... Is fuzzy or grainy remember to go around every summer there were large colonies of.! That provides a nutritional drink and is reportedly not edible. ) and hairs diuretic helpful in eliminating wastes toxins. Surface of the rural North American landscape three day shelf life two envelopes of,... Not, you are probably near some useful species of flowering plant in the sumac is accessible. Like raspberry stalks note: will keep for up to 2 days before straining for maximum.! An excellent and quite refreshing drink them for later foragers call … you can make the most summer! Time of it calorie diet excellent and quite refreshing drink that rivals lemonade baking pan and refrigerate for hour! By rain dark brown reason I ever remember to go around nearby chances are can... They are pioneer plants and quickly spread by rhizomes s plenty of sumac Laceleaf sumac... In eliminating wastes and toxins from the fruits it brews the stronger the through. All of the true ( edible ) sumacs have been widely used to make sumac +... Lemonade tree as a spice, sumac in marinades, dressings, dips and sprinkled on top all! From the fruits the glass ripeness for lemonade-making sumac or Rhus typhina, the that...