Za'atar Spice Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does za'atar spice consist of? ›

Za'atar is a spice blend composed of herbs such as thyme, oregano, marjoram or a combination of the three, along with other spices including sesame, sumac, cumin or coriander.

Ingredients. Toasted sesame seeds, spices (thyme, marjoram, coriander, oregano) chickpea flour, sea salt, sunflower oil, citric acid (acidulant), lemon oil.

Zaatar or Za'tar (zaah-tur) is a common noun in the Arabic language and refers to both a Middle-Eastern herb spice mixture and importantly a distinct herb plant in the mint family. The herbal plant is referred to in English as bible hyssop or Syrian oregano, but the mixture is just called zaatar.

Za'atar has been shown to help people with bronchitis stop coughing fits, and dried sumac, which is one of the main ingredients, has been shown to lower blood pressure and help people with type 2 diabetes.

Za'atar mixture is commonly employed in the Mediterranean diet and is rich of bioactive compounds. Za'atar components modulate gut microbiota, oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and obesity. The combined action of Za'atar components might generate beneficial effects for human health.

Some uncommon Middle Eastern spices such as sumac, za'atar, and dukkah have become my go-to's. They're perfect on fish, salads, meats, and vegetables. Sumac is a red-purple powder that adds a lovely lemony flavor and gorgeous color. Za'atar is a lemony hyssop or thyme, sumac, and sesame seed blend.

Are there different kinds of Za'atar? There are different types of Za'atar blends from different regions in the Middle East. These include those from Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, and others. The mix we use is a traditional Lebanese blend, with Za'atar grown in Lebanon.

Toasted sesame seeds (as opposed to the standard white), which adds a sweet, nutty flavor. A good amount of quality ground sumac from Mediterranean sumac berries, which adds a subtle lemony and earthy flavor; the perfect balance to the wild thyme and oregano.

Trader Joe's Za'atar Seasoning Blend

This blend is no longer on the TJ's site and seems to have been discontinued, though some shoppers may still have a jar in their cabinets. Some reviewers found it a little saltier than it needed to be, while others complained that it was bland.

What is the tangy spice in Za Atar? ›

Even though it varies greatly depending on where you are in the Middle East (specific recipes are sometimes closely-guarded secrets!), za'atar is generally a combination of dried oregano, thyme, and/or marjoram (woodsy and floral), with sumac (tangy and acidic) and toasted sesame seeds (nutty and rich).

How to use Zaatar Spice? Keep this seasoning blend handy and you will think of it as a finishing flavor for all kinds of dishes, like fried eggs, salad dressings, roasted and fresh vegetables and chicken, dips such as hummus and baba ganoush, bread, potatoes, atop avocado toast and kale chips.

Ground thyme is the most common substitution for the za'atar herb, but other variations on the recipe call for equal-parts mixtures of any number of herbs: thyme, oregano, marjoram, cumin, or coriander.

Za'atar, both the herb and the condiment, is popular in Algeria, Armenia, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkey.

Unopened, za'atar can last between 2 to 3 years, so don't worry if the date printed on the package seems ages away - it likely is! Once opened, za'atar should ideally be used within 6 months as it gradually loses its flavor over time. However, it won't spoil quickly and can still be used for up to 1 year.

Some uncommon Middle Eastern spices such as sumac, za'atar, and dukkah have become my go-to's. They're perfect on fish, salads, meats, and vegetables. Sumac is a red-purple powder that adds a lovely lemony flavor and gorgeous color. Za'atar is a lemony hyssop or thyme, sumac, and sesame seed blend.

What does sumac taste like? It tastes somewhat like fresh lemon juice – a bit sour and astringent! But it's much more complex and nuanced in flavor. Sumac is tangy and deep with a hint of earthy sweetness and floral citrus notes.

While the term zaatar is commonly used as the name for the popular Lebanese spice blend, it is also the Arabic name for this wild thyme which grows in Lebanon and the Middle East. As a wild herb it has a stronger, more pungent flavour than standard thyme, and it also has notes of oregano in its character.