Sumac—meaning “deep red” in Arabic—is a burgundy-colored spice made from dried and ground berries of the sumac plant, a shrub found in almost every country bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Villa Jerada’s version—sustainably harvested and blended in Türkiye—has a punch of bright, savory and tangy flavor thanks to malic acid, a subtly tart, warm cousin to citric acid. This sumac is coarser than other brands we’ve tried and appears to be almost wet, a good indicator of fresh, high-quality sourcing. We love it in meat rubs, paired with fatty cuts of lamb or fish, as a finish for fried foods or in place of citrus or vinegar—especially in marinated onions. Its vibrant color and acidic notes add a pop of brightness to dips like Turkish Hummus, Whipped Feta Dip and Mutabal.