Went with friends to an Arabian restaurant today.  I ate lamb, salad, etc.   The rice dish that my friends ate had nuts on the top, so I ate some nuts too.  

Also on the rice was a red powder.  When I asked the waiter what it was he replied, "sumac."  Of course, it is not the poison sumac we find in the U.S. by the side of the road, but I wonder what it is, where it grows, and what it does to the body. 

It is a dark red color and may be a good antioxidant.  

Anyone familiar w/ sumac?

Kath (in New Mexico)