Sumac-Aid
Sumac-Aid, also known as sumac-ade, bush-lemonade, or Indian lemonade, is a drink normally made with Rhus typhina or Rhus coriaria, chilled water, and frequently added, but not always added, sugar. With the taste normally described as tart, yet sweet, the taste bears a shocking resemblance to pink lemonade.
Process
Rhus berries are briskly rinsed, as they are removed from their stem. The berries are then dunked into a jar of cold or chilled water. After 5 minutes of vigorous shaking to the jar, the concoction is left alone for give-or-take 25 minutes. After that, it is shook and a potato masher is used on the berries.Sumac is almost never used, for it offers an unpleasant texture and less flavor than that of a berry.
Rhus vernix and Rhus radicans are not used as they are highly toxic due to their urushiol content.
Benefits
Sumac-aid is relatively high in fiber and fat. Research has also shown that the tannins in sumac-aid can destroy harmful bacteria buildup in the body.History
In the Americas, sumac-aid wasn't created by any modern inventor, but was passed down generations through Native American peoples of the Cahokian tribes of central United States. However, it is now drank by many people in the Northeast United States, and in the Midwestern United States by others, due to widespread trade of the main recipe.While there was a sumac "drink" commonly made in the Middle East, said "drink" was normally used as a souring agent for jellies and other sweet treats, rather than as its own drink.