How To Make Sumac Tea- Sumac Tea Recipe (2024)

Last updated on November 26th, 2023 at 08:19 pm

Sumac tea is tea made from the berries of the staghorn sumac shrub. Rich in antioxidants, the tea is easy to make, and is also full of nutritional benefits. Learn how to make this sumac tea recipe, and enjoy the flavor of these unique red berries.

What Is Sumac?

Staghorn sumac is a favorite shrub with lovely foliage, as well as clusters of red berries at the top.

Sumac is a deciduous shrub or small tree, which belongs to the Family Anacardiaceae and Genus Rhus. Rhus typhina is the species name of the staghorn sumac plant.

The plant is a native to eastern North America, and is commonly seen growing wild in large stands or clusters along roadways and highways. The plants of R. typhina like a full sun location, and are generally found growing in a sunny spot.

Due to it’s attractive appearance, sumac is also grown as an ornamental tree.

The shrub grows up to 16 feet tall, and 20 feet wide. The shrubs can spread via underground rhizomes and suckering, therefore forming small groves of plants over time.

Sumacs can be propagated by root cuttings, and as well can be started from seed.

The wild sumac shrubs are considered to be invasive in some locations, and are often considered to be a weed. They do have value as an edible plant however, as highlighted by Ontario Culinary in their article on Ontario staghorn sumac.

The plants can be foraged and harvested from, to obtain their nutritious berries.

The Leaves

Staghorn sumac has compound and alternate leaves, arranged in a staggered pattern along the stem. Each leaf is also made up of many smaller serrated leaflets, which form along a central stalk.

The leaves are green during the growing season, and then turn a deep orange or brilliant red color in the fall. This adds to the plant’s ornamental appearance as well as it’s beauty.

The leaf petioles and stems are covered with fine hairs, adding a velvety covering to the plant stems. This is the reason for the plant’s common name of staghorn sumac, because the stems resemble the antlers of a stag.

The Fruit

The shrubs form fruit in the fall, which appear as dense clusters of small, red, berry-like fruit known as drupes. These clusters of drupes are generally about 4 to 8 inches in length.

The individual berries are about the size of a pea, and are also covered in fine red hairs. These clusters of fuzzy berries point upwards in a cone-like structure, rather than hanging down, and pointing towards the ground.

The fruit of the staghorn sumac are edible, and it is the sumac berries that are harvested to make the sumac tea.

Sumac berries are juicy and have a tart citrus flavor, however the fuzzy hairs of the berries make them somewhat difficult to eat, straight off the plant.

The berries have minimal pulp inside and are mostly full of the seed. They are crunchy little berries with a nice tart taste.

The small hairs on the berries help to contribute to the sweet taste of the sumac tea. These little berries can also be used to make a tart sumac simple syrup, sumac jelly, as well as a sumac soda.

Make sure to pick the clusters of berries when they feel sticky to the touch, because this is where you get the flavor for the tea.

Avoid Poison Sumac

Make sure as well not to confuse Staghorn sumac with Poison sumac.

Poison sumac, or Toxicodendron vernix, is a plant within the same family as staghorn sumac, however this plant belongs to the Genus Toxicodendron.

Poison sumac’s fruit are white, and in addition the white berries hang down in a pendulous manner. The berry clusters on this poisonous sumac do not have the same appearance as the red clusters of berries which are found on staghorn sumac.

What Is Sumac Tea?

Sumac tea is a herbal tea made with staghorn sumac fruit or berries, harvested at the end of the growing season.

The tea is an infusion of the sumac berries into water, to make a tart and citrus-like drink.

Often referred to as sumac lemonade because of it’s tart taste, the drink can offer a refreshing change from typical citrus drinks in late summer.

The Benefits Of Sumac Tea

Sumac has long been used for both culinary and medicinal purposes by Native Americans. These wild edibles have also been used in middle eastern cuisine.

The berries are used to make a delicious tea, which is usually served as a cool tea drink.

The cool drink is often referred to as a pink lemonade, because the drink is made with the pink berries of the sumac plant. Sometimes the sumac tea can have a pink tinge, depending on the amount of resin covering the berries during the infusion.

Sumac tea is known to be high in vitamin C and is rich in anti-oxidants.

The reason that the drink is most often served cool is to preserve the vitamin C content of the berries. Heated tea will reduce the vitamin C levels.

An article from Michigan State University titled Making Sumac Tea reports the traditional medicinal benefits as treatment for colds, fever, sore throats, and gastric infections.

Sumac tea has also been used to treat and prevent scurvy, due to it’s vitamin C content.

Who Should Not Drink Sumac Tea?

Sumac and sumac tea are not generally known to cause adverse reactions.

However, whenever consuming new foods and drinks, it is always important to be aware of food safety, especially the potential for an allergic reaction.

The sumac plant is related to cashews, and also to mango. Anyone with allergies to these foods should therefore take caution with sumac, as they may be allergic to the sumac plant as well.

Sumac tea has been known to reduce blood sugar, so also take caution with it’s use if you have issues with blood sugar regulation. If uncertain, check with your doctor before consuming.

Always use in moderation, until you know how you will react to the tea.

How To Make Sumac Tea

Harvesting Sumac

Wait until fall, when the sumac berry clusters have turned red on the shrub.

Harvest the berries from locations which are free from chemicals, pollutants, and road runoff, therefore harvesting safe and edible fruit.

Avoid harvesting from roadside locations, because these trees have most likely been exposed to pollutants. Rather, harvest from organic locations for safest practice.

Harvest on a dry day for the tastiest berries.

Collect the drupes by cutting them from the branches with a pair of sharp clippers, and then place them into your harvesting container.

Choose only ripe clusters of berries, and leave any spent clusters on the tree.

Remember to pick the berry clusters which feel sticky to the touch. The sticky resins in the drupes contain the ascorbic acids and resins, which will help to flavor the tea.

If you find some clusters looking washed out and pale, leave them on the plant and wait for a few days for them to develop the sticky texture again.

Drying Sumac For Tea

The berry clusters can be brought inside, and either set aside for drying, or used in the fresh state to make the tea.

To dry the clusters of berries, set them out on a tray. Set the tray in a warm location, allowing the drupes to completely dry out.

You can also hang the drupes to dry, however I find that extra handling tends to cause the berries to easily fall from the clusters when dry. I tend to dry them flat on a tray.

If using the berries fresh, they can be used as is to make the sumac tea. Give them a quick rinse to wash off any bugs and debris.

Don’t wash for too long or soak the berries, because the flavor for the tea is on the outside of the berries, and can get washed away with rinsing.

If you pick the berry clusters after a rain, it can reduce the flavor of the tea quite a bit.

Sumac Tea Recipe

This sumac tea recipe is simple and easy to make. You can flavor it in any way you wish by adding extra ingredients for a different taste, or also drink it just as it is.

Tools You May Need:

• large pitcher

• fine mesh strainer

• cheese cloth or coffee filter for straining (optional)

Ingredients:

• large container of cool water

• 4 handfuls of sumac berry clusters

• honey or sugar to taste (optional)

• other ingredients for additional flavor, such as mint leaves, crushed peach pieces, crushed blueberries, crushed raspberries (optional)

Directions:

Preparing The Tea

• The sumac berries can be infused in the sun, as a sun tea, or can be infused into cold water in the fridge.

• Prepare a pitcher or container of cold water for the tea.

• Cold water works better than boiling water, because boiling water can release tannins from the berries, making the tea more bitter. Hot water can also reduce the vitamin C content of the drink.

• Add about 4 handfuls of sumac berry clusters.

• Give the berries a stir, brushing against the outside of the clusters with a spoon.

• There is no need to crush the berries, as this may contribute to a more sour flavor.

Infusing The Berries

• Allow the berries to infuse their flavor into the water.

• Stir the mixture, cover, and then steep in the sun for approximately 4 hours. This tea is referred to as sumac sun tea.

• Alternatively, the container can also be placed into the fridge overnight, allowing the berries to further infuse into the tea.

• When the tea has finished infusing, it can be strained to remove the berries and debris. Strain through a fine mesh strainer. You can also use cheese cloth or a coffee filter to strain and collect the fine hairs from the infusion.

• Add additional ingredients if you wish, to add extra flavor to the tea. This step is totally optional, as the sumac tea tastes delicious all on it’s own.

Serving The Tea

• Sweeten to taste, and serve over ice.

• If you find that the tea is too strong, you can dilute the tea with more water. As well, you can add less berries to the same water ratio the next time you make it.

• Both adults and children will enjoy this drink.

• For an adult drink, you can also add some vodka if you wish, for a lovely co*cktail. If you do this, consider freezing some sumac berries in ice cubes, to decorate your drinks.

• Store any leftover tea in a sealed container in the fridge for several days, for later use.

Sumac Tea Recipe Card

RECIPE: Sumac Tea

Yield: varies

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Additional Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Sumac tea is tea made from the berries of the Staghorn Sumac shrub. Rich in antioxidants, the tea is easy to make, and also full of nutritional benefits.

Ingredients

• large container of cool water
• 4 handfuls of sumac berry clusters
• honey or sugar to taste (optional)
• other ingredients for additional flavor, such as mint leaves, crushed peach pieces, crushed blueberries, crushed raspberries (optional)

Instructions

1. The sumac berries can be infused in the sun, as a sun tea, or can be infused into cold water in the fridge.
2. Prepare a pitcher or container of cold water for the tea.
3. Cold water works better than boiling water, because boiling water can release tannins from the berries, making the tea more bitter. Hot water can also reduce the vitamin C content of the drink.
4. Add about 4 handfuls of quickly rinsed sumac drupes, or berry clusters.
5. Give the berries a stir, brushing against the outside of the clusters with a spoon. There is no need to crush the berries, as this may contribute to a more sour flavor.
6. Allow the berries to infuse their flavor into the water.
7. Stir the mixture, cover, and steep in the sun for approximately 4 hours. This tea is referred to as "sumac sun tea".
8. Alternatively, the container can also be placed into the fridge overnight, allowing the berries to further infuse into the tea.
9. When the tea has finished infusing, it can be strained to remove the berries and debris. Strain through a fine mesh strainer. You can also use cheese cloth to strain and collect the fine hairs from the berries.
10. Add additional ingredients if you wish, to add extra flavor to the tea. This step is totally optional, as the sumac tea tastes delicious all on it's own.
11. Sweeten to taste, and serve over ice.

Notes

If using the berries fresh, they can be used as is to make the sumac tea.

Don't wash the berries ahead of time, because the flavor for the tea is on the outside of the berries, and can get washed away with rinsing.

If you pick the berry clusters after a rain, it can reduce the flavor of the tea quite a bit.

If you find that the tea is too strong, you can dilute the tea with more water. As well, you can add less berries to the same water ratio the next time you make it.

For an adult drink, you can also add some vodka if you wish, for a lovely co*cktail. If you do this, consider freezing some sumac berries in ice cubes, to decorate your drinks.

Store any leftover tea in a sealed container in the fridge for several days, for later use.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 10Serving Size: 1 cup
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 80Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 652mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 8gSugar: 5gProtein: 3g

Please note: This nutritional information is an estimation only. Please calculate your exact brands and ingredients for better accuracy

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Sumac Tea Taste Like?

This sumac tea recipe has a tart and citrusy flavor, similar to a lemonade.

Depending on how it is made, the flavor can sometimes become slightly bitter, especially if the berries are squeezed to release the tannins into the tea.

Therefore, try to make the tea without much manipulation of the fruit, for a less bitter tea.

Sumac tea is also best infused when the sticky resins are on the outside of the berry clusters. Therefore try to harvest when dry, rather than after a heavy rain when the resins have been washed off.

Feel for the resin when harvesting the drupes, and leave any faded and non sticky fruit on the bush.

Can You Make Tea Out Of Smooth Sumac?

Sumac tea can also be made with the native plant Rhus glabra, or smooth sumac, which is a different species of sumac than staghorn sumac.

The berry clusters of the smooth sumac shrub are similar in appearance to those of the staghorn sumac, however the berries and the stems do not have the fine hairs covering them.

Sumac tea or lemonade can be also be made using smooth sumac drupes with the same recipe noted above.

Can You Make Hot Sumac Tea?

Yes you can definitely make hot sumac tea if you prefer, instead of making a cold tea.

However just remember that heat can reduce the vitamin C content in the hot tea. Hot sumac tea is still a delicious beverage, along with immune boosting benefits.

To make the hot tea, you can use the dried sumac, which can be ground up and saved for tea. You can also purchase powdered sumac, although it’s important to make sure to get plain ground sumac, rather than sumac spice, which may have other spices added.

To make the hot tea add 1 tsp of the ground sumac powder to a drawstring tea bag to filter out the tea. Add hot water and steep to desired strength for about 4 to 5 minutes.

Add honey, maple syrup, or your favorite sweetener, and sit back and enjoy.

Conclusion

Edible sumac berries are traditional wild foods which have been used throughout time by First Nations peoples.

Sumac tea has been used traditionally for both culinary uses, as well as medicinal purposes.

Consider harvesting some ripe berries from the staghorn sumac in late August, and use the fresh fruits of this wild plant to make this sumac tea recipe.

This drink is tart yet naturally sweet, with a lemony taste, and makes a delicious and nutritious beverage, with it’s immunity-boosting antioxidants.

You can also use the berries to make other sumac recipes with the tea, such as sumac simple syrup and sumac jelly.

Other Tea Recipes You May Like:

• HOW TO MAKE CALENDULA TEA: CALENDULA TEA RECIPE

• HOW TO MAKE GOLDENROD TEA- GOLDENROD TEA RECIPE

• HOW TO DRY YARROW FOR TEA- HARVEST, DRY AND STORE

• HOW TO DRY ROSE HIPS FOR TEA

• HOW TO DRY CHAMOMILE FOR TEA- HARVEST, DRY AND STORE

• HOW TO MAKE BORAGE TEA- BORAGE TEA RECIPE

• HOW TO DRY MINT LEAVES FOR TEA

Other Posts You May Like:

Have you ever made this sumac tea recipe? Be sure to leave a comment below to share your experience!

PIN IT FOR LATER!