Sumac vs. Zaatar — What's the Difference?

Sumac ( or ), also spelled sumach, is any of about 35 species of flowering plants in the genus Rhus and related genera in the cashew family (Anacardiaceae). Sumacs grow in subtropical and temperate regions throughout the world, including East Asia, Africa, and North America.

A Middle Eastern mixture of herbs and spices typically containing thyme and marjoram or oregano along with sumac, sesame seeds, salt, and other ingredients.

A shrub or small tree with compound leaves, reddish hairy fruits in conical clusters, and bright autumn colours.

A particular herb, similar in flavor to thyme or oregano, used in Arab and Israeli cuisine, made from various Middle Eastern herbs.

Any of various shrubs or small trees of the genera Rhus and Toxicodendron, having compound leaves, clusters of small greenish flowers, and usually red, hairy fruit. Species in the genus Toxicodendron, such as poison sumac, have toxic sap.

A Middle Eastern seasoning, having the herb as the main ingredient, with sumac (or other tart-flavored equivalent) and sesame seeds.

A tart, dark reddish-brown powder made from the ground dried fruits of a Eurasian sumac (Rhus coriaria), used as a seasoning in Middle Eastern cuisine.

Any of various shrubs or small trees of the genus Rhus and other genera in Anacardiaceae, particularly the elm-leaved sumac, Sicilian sumac, or tanner's sumac (Rhus coriaria).

Dried and chopped-up leaves and stems of a plant of the genus Rhus, particularly the tanner's sumac (see sense 1), used for dyeing and tanning leather or for medicinal purposes.

A sour spice popular in the Eastern Mediterranean, made from the berries of tanner's sumac.

(transitive) To apply a preparation of sumac to (an object), for example, to a piece of leather to tan it.

Any plant of the genus Rhus, shrubs or small trees with usually compound leaves and clusters of small flowers. Some of the species are used in tanning, some in dyeing, and some in medicine. One, the Japanese Rhus vernicifera, yields the celebrated Japan varnish, or lacquer.

The powdered leaves, peduncles, and young branches of certain species of the sumac plant, used in tanning and dyeing.

Wood of a sumac

A shrub or tree of the genus Rhus (usually limited to the non-poisonous members of the genus)