how or where to find good sumac?

Food52ers, I know you'll know! How do I find (where do I find) good sumac? (An online source would be ideal for me.) I bought some at a local grocery store recently and, while it's a pretty color, it has none of the bright tart flavor that sumac is known for.

Thanks so much!!

tammany
  • Posted by: tammany
  • March 4, 2014
  • 2270 views
  • 10 Comments

10 Comments

tammany
tammany March 5, 2014
so interesting about the sustainable sumac project. and thanks to sexyLAMBCHOPx too.
 
sexyLAMBCHOPx
sexyLAMBCHOPx March 5, 2014
Provisions sells some in a package http://food52.com/provisions/products/967-new-persian-kitchen-spice-set
 
Lemongrass&Lime
Lemongrass&Lime March 5, 2014
I second The Spice House (in Chicago or online). As a side note, Tama Wong, author (with Eddy Leroux) of Foraged Flavor, is hoping to start a sustainable wild sumac farm in New Jersey. It's an interesting project I just head about. You can read more about it here:- https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/421744326/the-wild-farm-producing-local-sumac-spices
 
tammany
tammany March 5, 2014
And two more excellent suggestions! Thanks so much!!
 
dietjessg
dietjessg March 5, 2014
The Spice House (in Chicago or online) is my go-to source for excellent spices!!!
 
lisabu
lisabu March 4, 2014
Another good online source is spice ace based in San Francisco. Good prices and interesting blends.
 
Sam1148
Sam1148 March 4, 2014
It grows wild in the most of the US. It's very easy to recognize. I can spot it on the road side in the late summer, when the seeds are drying up. Take a look at how to identify it, you'll see it everywhere from late June to early fall (when the berries are dry on plant and red in color).
 
tammany
tammany March 4, 2014
Thanks to both of you. I'll give Penzey's a try. Alas, I am not in the NY area (I wish...) and don't have easy access to a grocery store specializing in Mid Eastern products, though thanks for the suggestions - next time I'm in NY I will definitely stop by both of the places Monita mentions.
 
Monita
Monita March 4, 2014
If you live in the greater NY area there are two stores you can get good Sumac at:
Kalustyans (http://www.kalustyans.com/) on 28th and Lex Ave. or Dual Specialty Store (91 First Avenue, around 10th Street). Otherwise try a food store that sells Mid Eastern or Indian food products
 
figgypudding
figgypudding March 4, 2014
Penzey's Spices is a always a good place to go for spices, and they have sumac:http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/p-penzeyssumac.html
 
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