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I see this all the time but..... what does it taste like and where do you find it.

Thanks

The taste of sumac is quite acidic, but there is also a currant-like background. A bit like currants mixed with lemon.

It is used in Middle Eastern cuisine - I think one of your fellow Americans will have to tell you what shop is easiest. There are some plants that are called sumac but whose berries are inedible - don't pick your own berries, buy them from someone who can confirm this is the kind you use in cooking.

Sumac is the ground-up berries from the sumac bush, which grows in the Middle East. It has a fruity-tart flavor. You should be able to find it in any Middle Eastern grocery store or if there are not any near you then it can be ordered online from sites such as The Spice House, Spiceologist or Penzeys.

I recently posted in the topic I Made This... for a member asking about Ottolenghi's use of sumac. This was my response (with links to online recipes on EYB where the full recipe is just one click away):

Ottolenghi has 45 online recipes using sumac (some of those are duplicates). My personal favorite is Turkey & courgette burgers with spring onion & cumin - the sauce is fantastic.

Sumac is also an ingredient in za'atar and there are also 21 online Ottolenghi recipes using that spice blend. And if you would like to branch out beyond Ottolenghi for sumac recipes there are 792 online recipes with sumac and 399 online recipes with za'atar.

I buy mine via Amazon.  Right now I have two bottles from two separate companies and it's interesting how they taste so differently.