In the tradition of opening a door on an Advent calendar, we open today’s post to reveal…

… there’s 13 days to Christmas Day…

and today’s spice is…

… Sumac

A pinch of spice

Sumac has a lemon-lime like taste with hints of cherries, strawberries, and dried cranberries. This remarkable spice can be used in cooking, but more often is sprinkled on top of a dish to add a zesty tartness and flavour kick. In Iran, sumac is used as a table condiment, sitting alongside pepper or salt. Ideas for use at Christmas include sprinkling sumac on salads, vegetables, or meat dishes. Indigenous Americans made a drink made from steeping sumac berries, creating a pink lemonade. Sumac can also be added to give zest to cheesecakes, ice-cream, or berry-based desserts.