Video - Zaatar & Olive Oil Dip - The Middle Eastern Heritage of Zaatar/Zatar Starts as a Dip (2024)

FAQs

What do we call Zatar in English? ›

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.

Folk medicine in the middle east prescribes a zaatar plant's essential oils for diverse benefits including helping immune system, mental focus, increased energy, digestion, reducing infection risks, and others benefits.

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.

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.

Zaatar has a number of outstanding health benefits, like being able to boost the immune system, improve skin health, build strong bones, improve circulation, clear out the airways, ease inflammation, give you more energy, improve your mood, help you remember things, and treat chronic diseases.

There have been studies claiming that regular consumption of za'atar in your diet can improve your brainpower and cognition. The spice blend contains circulation-boosting power due to its rich mineral content that can enhance your brain and incite neural activity.

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.

Zaatar (Origanum compactum) is a species of oregano native to the Rhafsai area of Morocco. (Elsewhere in North Africa and the Middle East, “zaatar” or “za'atar” refers to other oregano species, or to an herb mixture based on oregano.)

Is baharat the same as Zaatar? ›

Za'atar. Also among Middle Eastern blends is za'atar, a mixture with a very different base than baharat. It consists of a mix of herbs (basil, thyme, oregano, or hyssop), toasted sesame seeds, sumac, and salt. As in many Middle Eastern blends, other spices like cumin and coriander can be added.

Dukkah and za'atar both come from the Middle Eastern region and have slight similarities. While some of the ingredients of the two spice mixes are the same, za'atar is made with more ground herbs, such as thyme and oregano, while dukkah is primarily seeds and nuts.

Sumac isn't spicy like a chilli powder or hot paprika. It has a sour, floral tang that's a bit like lemon or limes but isn't quite as astringent.

Za'atar (pronounced ZAH-tar) is an ancient Levantine spice blend of herbs, ground sumac, and sesame seeds. The Arabic word “za'atar” means “thyme,” which is an essential ingredient, though some za'atar blends include oregano, marjoram, or a combination of these with thyme.

What is the best way to store Za'atar and the Za'atar spread? The dried Za'atar blend can be stored in a cabinet, pantry, or in the fridge to preserve shelf life even longer. It is best to keep your Za'atar Extra Virgin Olive Oil condiment spread in a cabinet, pantry, on counter, and not in the fridge.

The plant Zaatar may be referred to as the Middle-Eastern oregano but is locally known as wild thyme, or wild Zaatar. Origanum syriacum, or Zaatar, is native to the Middle East. It is a short shrub of up to 2.5 feet. It is characterized by its small white flowers and very fragrant cottony leaves.

The name refers to thyme, or za'atar in Arabic – a common Middle Eastern herb in Levantine Arabic cuisine used notably in preparation of za'atar manakeesh and other recipes – and zeit (Arabic for olive oil in this context).

Za'atar (Arabic: زَعْتَر‎) is a culinary herb or family of herbs. It is also the name of a spice mixture that includes the herb along with toasted sesame seeds, dried sumac, often salt, as well as other spices.

Za'atar. Also among Middle Eastern blends is za'atar, a mixture with a very different base than baharat. It consists of a mix of herbs (basil, thyme, oregano, or hyssop), toasted sesame seeds, sumac, and salt. As in many Middle Eastern blends, other spices like cumin and coriander can be added.