Sumac tea

[eyeguy 54]

Picked some sumac tops and tried to make tea yesterday with it. Looked good, chilled overnight. Just tried it. VERY VERY GOOD! Gonna go pick more today.

[picksbigwagon]

we have sumac that has taken over the island in our cul de sac, can you be more specific with what leaves you picked/how long you boiled it/what else you added?????

[OnAFly]

Never tried this one but I'll have to for sure.

Pine tea is fantastic. Red pine and White pine needles work best. I make it every time I go camping. Just boil some needles for a minute and let it cool a bit.

[eyeguy 54]

Just the red fruit on top. don't rinse. I ran my tap water to hot and filled a 1 1/2 quart plastic pitcher about 2/3 full. Put half a dozen of the buds in the hot water for 30 minutes. Then just squish around with fingers for a bit. 2 paper towels in a strainer and strain into another pitcher. Has a nice color. I cooled in the fridge overnight. Too strong add some water. Too weak try more buds. I saw a thing on you tube and did that. Just finished a batch Tastes a lot like the sun tea I make with the black tea bags.

found this sumac pic online

[nofishfisherman]

Interesting. Never knew it could be used that way. Might have to give it a shot.

[pushbutton]

Just make sure you use the Staghorn Sumac and not the Smooth Sumac. Jr. and I ran across a bunch of it on a fishing trip a few years ago and it was tasty...we did add some sugar though...more like a sumacade

Edit:......Whoops...couldn't remember for sure and did some checking. Smooth is OK as well.

[JeremyCampbell]

Cool! Is that back yard tea? My uncle in st Joe picks around in his 5acre back yard(field) for tea and what ever he can make medicine with.

[nofishfisherman]

Just make sure you use the Staghorn Sumac and not the Smooth Sumac. Jr. and I ran across a bunch of it on a fishing trip a few years ago and it was tasty...we did add some sugar though...more like a sumacade

Edit:......Whoops...couldn't remember for sure and did some checking. Smooth is OK as well.

I had to do some google research on this as well. Looks like the common varieties of sumac around here can all be used. There was mention of one out west thats not good and of course poison sumac can't be used but it doesn't have the red berry/seed anyways.

[eyeguy 54]

picked a big bagful so should have enough for a few mixes.

[picksbigwagon]

looks great, will have to try it this weekend as well, or clean the garage.....hmmmmmmmm

[eyeguy 54]

do both

[eyeguy 54]

let mine sit a while in the hot water.

[Rick G]

Looks interesting, gona pick some today or tomorrow and give it a try... Does it give any kind of Buzz like caffeine would?

[eyeguy 54]

nope, herbal tea.

[picksbigwagon]

Welp, garage didn't get cleaned yesterday, the sumac's have no berries and i went golfing today..... i will keep this in mind though, looks really good