What is Za’atar?
Part of our Ultimate guide to spices and flavorings. Click to see more answers to your questions.
Za’atar is a spice mix from the Middle East, primarily composed of dried herbs like thyme, oregano, and marjoram combined with sesame seeds, sumac, and sometimes salt. Different regions adjust the blend, creating various flavors based on the same essential ingredients.
This blend is common in Middle Eastern dishes, where it seasons meats and vegetables, is stirred into dips like hummus, or mixed with olive oil to spread on bread. It also adds a new dimension to simple dishes like yogurt or salads.
According to Burlap and Barrel:
“The name za’atar refers to both the herb itself (a relative of oregano) and the classic blend where the herb is ground and mixed with sesame, sumac and salt. Use as a finishing spice, a seasoning to roast meat or vegetables, or as a dip mixed with fresh olive oil.
Za’atar is a blend named after its key ingredient, a Levantine species of oregano that flourishes in the region’s characteristic arid conditions, and it also includes sesame seeds, sumac and other ingredients, depending on who’s making it. Good za’atar tastes savory, deeply herbal, piney, nutty, tart and peppery.”
Beyond its culinary uses, za’atar is integral to both everyday and celebratory food traditions in the Middle East, valued for its flavor and the potential health benefits of its components, which may include supporting digestion and immune health.
Za’atar production often relies on age-old techniques, sourcing spices from the wild or small family-run farms, thereby aiding in the continuation of sustainable practices in these communities.
You can introduce authentic Middle Eastern flavors to your cooking with Za’atar, to add a new layer of taste to familiar dishes without overwhelming them.
