Pick-Me-Up Quick Sumac Tea

Tart and citrusy, this Sumac Tea is loaded with immunity-boosting antioxidants. Used as medicine all over the world for centuries, this lemony ground fruit can easily become a warm, soothing drink in a matter of minutes. Sumac Tea is a refreshing and invigorating tea you’ll want to sip on again and again!

Hot Sumac Tea

I’m absolutely in love with the spice Sumac. What is sumac? Good question! Sumacs (or sumachs) are a type of shrub or tree found in the Middle East. They produce drupes (also called sumac berries or sumac bobs), and are related to cashews and mangoes. To make the spice, the sumac bobs are dried and then ground into a coarse powder. Its colour is a beautiful deep wine-red, and the flavour is absolutely incredible every time I use it, like in this BBQ sauce, and also this Keto Ketchup. Today we’re turning it into an immunity-boosting tea. Why? I hear you! I have a few reasons:

• It’s really good for you. And I mean really. Sumac benefits include immunity-boosting and illness-fighting antioxidants as it contains tannins, anthocyanins, and flavonoids. Evidence also suggests that it helps reduce inflammation, and balance blood sugar. What’s more, studies have shown that it even relieves muscle pain – we can all use a bit of help with that!
• It’s so easy! Yes, pop some sumac in a reusable tea bag, add some boiling water and maybe a spot of honey and…you have perfect sumac tea!
• It can be sipped hot or cold. One of my favorite parts about this tea. It’s so soothing as a hot drink, and perfectly refreshing ice cold.
• It’s addictive! Tea? Addictive? I know, I know, how British of me, but this tea makes me feel SO GOOD even hours after it’s finished.

How do you make Sumac Tea?

Follow this story for step-by-step instructions and check out my tips below!

Extra tips:

• I steep my tea in a reusable, organic cotton tea bag (affiliate), which is also great for steeping regular loose leaf tea in, as well as herbs and spices when cooking.
• To sweeten, I recommend adding 2 tsp of honey or 7-10 drops of liquid stevia.
• Do not add milk to this tea! It will curdle.

Where can I buy Sumac from?

IMPORTANT: When buying sumac, double-check the ingredients! It often contains salt and additives which we don’t want for tea. Just plain, ground sumac.

In the UK, I first found sumac at Tesco and then Morrisons, but now buy it in bulk from buywholefoodsonline.co.uk.

However, Amazon UK, Amazon USA (affiliates) and Amazon Canada have several decent ground sumac products. The easiest way to see all of your available options online would be to do a quick google search, e.g. “buy ground sumac <insert country name here>“.

I like to buy it in bulk as I use it in cooking as well, especially for condiments like ketchup and BBQ sauce.

Does Sumac contain caffiene?

It does not! However, sumac does have malic acid in it which is said to be an energy booster. I’d quite agree – I find sumac tea both refreshing and invigorating. Perfect in the afternoon!

What is Sumac Tea good for?

Sumac tea is one of my favourite pick-me-up drinks when I’m feeling under the weather or even just a little sluggish. Because of its various health benefits (see above), it’s an amazing immunity-boosting tea that helps fight off colds and the flu. It also balances out your blood sugar levels and is said to be an excellent help in alleviating muscle pain.

More recipes you will love

• THE BEST BBQ SAUCE WITH SUMAC
• PALEO KETCHUP
• APPLE PIE SMOOTHIE
• BLACK CHERRY FROZEN MARGARITAS
• PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE BITES
• KETO PUMPKIN PUDDING

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