I enjoy sumacs. They are good for nature. We planted them at Watershed Farm and they spread like weeds - which I guess they were. My Mother and Father transplanted a few sumacs from Centennial Road, Brockville and moved them to the crest of the Oak Ridges Moraine. They provided a lot of colour in the fall. The berries were enjoyed by all kinds of creatures and are apparently good for you. They can even be used to brew tea.
Until the Romans introduced lemons to Europe, sumac was used as a spice to impart foods with a lemony tang and lovely burst of color. Since then, it has been used for medicinal purposes, but most people today turn it into spice mixes, teas, sauces and syrups.
Soaking the unwashed berries in faucet-hot water releases the acid. The resulting concoction can be used in drinks. You’ll want to filter the liquid twice to get rid of little, irritating hairs - a coffee filter works fine. You can gently heat it with sugar, maple or honey to preserve it longer. This syrup stores in the fridge for a couple months and can be used in cocktails, teas and more!
These particular sumac plants are on the east side of Red Horse Lake Road. They were growing and spreading in the hydro easement.
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