Sorrel

Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) is a perennial herbaceous plant in the genus Rumex, belonging to the family Polygonaceae. It is native to Europe and Asia, but it has been naturalized in parts of North America and Australia. Sorrel is known for its distinctive, tangy, lemony flavor, which is due to the presence of oxalic acid. The leaves are arrow-shaped and grow in a rosette at the base of the plant. Sorrel is often used in salads, soups, and sauces, and it is also a key ingredient in the French dish sauce au cerfeuil. In Hebrew, sorrel is known as חמץ (hametz) or רומאקס אצטוזה (rumex acetosa). In French, it is called oseille, and in German, it is referred to as Sauerampfer. The plant has a long history of use in traditional medicine and cuisine, and it is also cultivated as an ornamental plant for its attractive foliage and flowers.