Ranch Refresh

One of sumac’s biggest strengths is its ability to introduce complexity while staying anchored in familiarity. At Fort Oak in San Diego, the Little Gem Salad combines cavolo nero (lacinato kale), embered beets, whipped feta, hazelnuts, pickled golden raisins, onion and sumac ranch.

The application highlights sumac’s growing role as a modern finishing spice within recognizable American formats. Here, it brightens ranch dressing with citrusy tang and subtle earthiness, helping transform a familiar condiment into something more layered and contemporary. For operators, that balance is key. Sumac brings enough novelty to differentiate a dish while still feeling accessible to consumers.