On September 1st the Duncannon Outdoor Club held a 9.6 mile hike from Rte 225 AT trailhead to the Rte 325 AT trailhead, It was a very foggy day, so we had little to see from Shock Rock, Table Rock and Kinter views.
Prior to the hike we discussed how to identify Staghorn Sumac and differentiate it from Poisonous Sumac https://duncannonatc.org/doc-sumacade-hike/. After our brief discussion we made a delicious drink, Sumacade, out of red sumac berries. Directions are as follows:
At late summer, collect the cone shaped red sumac heads from Sumac trees found in fields and openings. Do this prior to heavy rains, which will wash out the malic acid responsible for flavoring. Cover the heads with water and let stand for at least 10 minutes. Rub or pound the berries to loosen the tiny red hairs on the berries. Strain through a paper towel to remove the hairs from the liquid. Add water to desired stength, if necessary, and sweeten to taste. This procedure can be repeated with the same berries a number of times until the malic acid is used. Berries may be stored in the freezer for future and may also be dried and stored for winter use.
Out of lemons? Make lemon juice from the berries with equal portions of berries and water. Soak and pound the berries, strain and use as lemon juice!
So next autumn get out there and start collection Sumac berries. They are getting harder to find as the notorious invasive species, The Tree of Heaven, is taking over Sumac habitat.