Question 1

What is zaatar?

Accepted Answer

The term zaatar (or za'tar, pronounced zaah-tur) is an Arabic word with a dual meaning: it refers to both a herb and a spice mixture. The Herb: a perennial plant in the mint family, native to the East Mediterranean and known scientifically as Origanum syriacum. In English it's also called Syrian oregano or Bible hyssop. It grows as a shrub with small white flowers and fragrant, velvety leaves. The Spice Mixture: a traditional Middle Eastern blend that uses the dried zaatar herb as its base.

Question 2

What is zaatar in English?

Accepted Answer

Zaatar is an Arabic word, pronounced zaah-tur in English. Other common spellings include Za'atar, Za'tar, and Zatar. The Library of Congress's Arabic romanization table suggests za'tar is the technically correct English spelling, though it isn't the most widely used.

Question 3

What can I do with zaatar? How do I use it?

Accepted Answer

Za'atar is prized for its simplicity and staying power. It's non-perishable and can sit on the counter next to olive oil, ready for the traditional dip: bread dunked in olive oil, then dipped into za'atar. Because authentic zaatar is zesty, tangy, and aromatic, it's a versatile condiment: try it on bagels with cream cheese, yogurt, and eggs; popcorn or vegetable slices; mixed into salad dressings or sprinkled over greens; or as a crust for roasted chicken or fish.

Question 4

What zaatar size should I buy?

Accepted Answer

About eight ounces to start. Zaatar is more than a spice - once you start using it as a dip with olive oil and sprinkling it on everything, you'll go through it quickly. A quality mix is non-perishable and keeps for close to two years from the day it's harvested and mixed with freshly roasted sesame seeds.

Question 5

What does zaatar taste like?

Accepted Answer

An authentic mix is savory, earthy, grassy, tart, zesty, vinegary, peppery, and nutty. It combines the herbal flavor of coarsely ground oregano, thyme, and marjoram with a tangy kick and nutty flavor from toasted sesame seeds, especially when fresh. The texture shouldn't be a fine powder - it should be fluffy and free-flowing.

Question 6

Is all zaatar the same?

Accepted Answer

Not at all. The choice, proportion, and quality of ingredients vary enormously from one brand's mix to another. Arguably, the taste profile of many zaatar products on the market isn't recognizable next to authentic Middle Eastern zaatar.

Question 7

What is zaatar made of? What are the ingredients in authentic zaatar?

Accepted Answer

An authentic Middle Eastern za'atar has four mainstay ingredients: ground zaatar herb, native to the Middle East, combining thyme, oregano, marjoram, and savory with a peppery finish (botanical name Origanum syriacum); sumac, a red spice with a bright, tangy, lemony zing without the acidity of citrus; roasted sesame seeds for nutty flavor and crunch; and sea salt, an optional pinch to round out the flavor. To cut costs, most commercial brands use substitutes for the genuine ingredients plus fillers to bulk up volume - common substitutes for the herb include plain oregano, thyme, marjoram, or savory; fillers can include wheat, peanut, peas, chickpeas, or even ground straw, often undisclosed; and citric acid is a common stand-in for real sumac in lower-quality brands.

Question 8

What is a substitute for zaatar seasoning in cooking?

Accepted Answer

As a seasoning, a reasonable substitute is a mix of thyme, oregano, and marjoram with sumac (or another lemony spice) and a pinch of sea salt.

Question 9

What are the health benefits of zaatar?

Accepted Answer

The health benefits of an authentic zaatar mix come mainly from its herb base, Origanum syriacum. Studies point to the herb's high thymol and carvacrol content giving it antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor properties. Thymol is an active ingredient in Listerine mouthwash and in many cough medicines. In Middle Eastern folk medicine, zaatar's essential oils are used for a range of purposes, including supporting the immune system, mental focus, energy, and digestion. Most zaatar mixes on the market contain very little genuine Origanum syriacum, since it's expensive, and unknown fillers can dilute any benefit. For the most benefit, look for a quality, authentic mix, or try it as a herbal tea.

Question 10

How do I identify a quality zaatar mixture?

Accepted Answer

Look for a transparent, credible ingredient list that names all four base ingredients of authentic zaatar. Avoid brands that list vague terms like spices, Middle Eastern spices, or simply zaatar as an ingredient. In general, better-quality zaatar costs two to four times as much as imitation mixes.

Question 11

What are common cheats or substitutes used in the market?

Accepted Answer

Because authentic za'atar herb (Origanum syriacum) is expensive and hard to source, most brands lean on herb substitutes such as common thyme, oregano, or marjoram; fillers like ground wheat or even ground straw, added to increase volume and cut cost; citric acid used for sourness instead of real sumac; and lower-grade ingredients that may carry contaminants like heavy metals.

Question 12

Why do zaatar prices vary so much?

Accepted Answer

Because ingredients and quality vary so widely. The cheapest mixes rely on fillers and substitutes that often go undisclosed, with a flavor and quality profile far from authentic zaatar.

Question 13

Why are there so many different versions on the market?

Accepted Answer

Because zaatar's global popularity is growing, and cheap imitations are easy to make. Many brands sell seasoning mixes under the zaatar name while swapping out true Origanum syriacum for cheaper herbs, real lemony sumac for citric acid, and adding undisclosed fillers like wheat.

Question 14

Is zaatar gluten free?

Accepted Answer

Most zaatar mixtures on the market aren't gluten-free, since ground roasted wheat is a cheap filler. That said, some zaatar mixtures are gluten-free when the claim comes from an accountable, credible source.

Question 15

Any allergy information for zaatar?

Accepted Answer

Zaatar mixtures vary and may contain spices or fillers not listed on the label. Traditional mixtures typically include sesame seed, sumac, and herbs from the mint family such as thyme, oregano, and marjoram. It's best to find a trustworthy brand and confirm directly with them.

Question 16

Is the zaatar plant the same as the hyssop (ezov) described in the Bible?

Accepted Answer

Yes, according to academic botanical research, among other sources. Researchers reached this conclusion after reviewing prior botanical and theological research, historical use, and chemical analysis of the zaatar plants found in the Holy Land.

Question 17

Is zaatar the same as Greek oregano or thyme?

Accepted Answer

No. The appearance and aroma can be similar, but the taste of the zaatar herb (bible hyssop) differs from common oregano and thyme. By some counts, there are 50 or more oregano- and thyme-like species native to different regions and soils across Europe and the Middle East.

Question 18

What is the shelf life of zaatar?

Accepted Answer

About one to two years from the date of preparation, when stored in an airtight container away from sunlight, heat, and moisture. The sesame component generally has the shortest shelf life, while the herb and sumac stay flavorful for around two years.

Question 19

What is the scientific name and species of the zaatar (hyssop) plant?

Accepted Answer

Origanum syriacum, also known by the synonym Majorana syriaca, in the Lamiaceae (mint) family of herbal plants. It's a species native to the East Mediterranean region.

Question 20

What is the chemical composition of the essential oils in the zaatar (hyssop) plant?

Accepted Answer

The essential oil content of the plant ranges from about 0.5% to 3.8% - the higher the content, the more intense the flavor. Of that, the composition is mostly carvacrol or thymol (roughly 50-85%), followed by up to 15 more compounds such as p-cymene, gamma-terpinene, caryophyllene, and myrcene.

Question 21

What's the difference between zaatar and sumac?

Accepted Answer

Sumac is a distinct lemony spice that is an ingredient in an authentic zaatar mix. Sumac is very popular in Middle Eastern cuisine and provides a bright citrusy flavor to dishes without adding excess moisture. Cheap zaatar mixes often substitute citric acid for quality sumac.

Question 22

Where does zaatar originally come from?

Accepted Answer

The zaatar herb plant, which is the mainstay ingredient in an authentic zaatar mix, is native to the Levant region of Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine. Zaatar the mix is considered the definitive comfort food in the Levant as a dip with olive oil.

Question 23

How do I store zaatar to keep it fresh?

Accepted Answer

Store in an air tight container away from sunlight. Refrigeration is optional. Of the ingredients in an authentic zaatar mix, it is the sesame seeds that have the shorter shelf life. The zaatar herb and sumac have a long shelf life of at least two years.

Question 24

Is zaatar spicy?

Accepted Answer

No, zaatar is not hot. An authentic mix is savory, earthy, grassy, tart, zesty, vinegary, peppery, and nutty. It combines the herbal flavor of coarsely ground oregano, thyme, and marjoram with a tangy kick and nutty flavor from toasted sesame seeds, especially when fresh.

Question 25

What is manakish (zaatar bread)?

Accepted Answer

Manakish/Manaesh (zaatar flat bread) is a cherished national pie of Levant cultures. It's made by spreading a pasty mix of olive oil and zaatar on flat bread or pizza dough and is best served piping hot out of the oven, with optional toppings like finely chopped tomatoes, onions, or mint leaves.

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