What is Zaatar? Is it a Spice, Seasoning, Condiment, or all of the above? (2024)

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.

Zaatar enjoys an enduring heritage in the Levant/East Mediterranean region as an essential kitchen table staple because it is simple, delicious, nutritious, and offers many relishes. It is a condiment that is often enjoyed as a dip with olive oil and bread, a topping on flat breads and bakery items, a seasoning and a herbal spice on many foods.

Zaatar's reputation however may be increasingly confused by the increasing number of seasoning mixes on the market claiming the zaatar title. While these seasoning mixes may be tasty, they often are different from the taste and nutritious ingredient profile of an authentic zaatar mix. Zaatar's middle eastern standards allow slight variations in flavor profiles but is strict on mainstay ingredients and overall taste.

The mainstay ingredients of authentic zaatar the mix, include 1) the ground Zaatar herb with the scientific name of Origanum Syriacum¹ which is native to the Middle-East and is believed to be the same Hyssop herb plant in biblical references ² and combines earthy flavors from thyme, oregano, marjoram, and savory with a peppery finish 2) Sumac powder spice (lemony but without the acidity), and 3) sesame seeds roasted (nutty, crunchy) 4) optional pinch of sea salt. The texture of an authentic mix should not be that of a fine spice powder, but more course, herbal, fluffy and free flowing, and somewhat nutty from freshly roasted sesame seeds.

The easy way to try Zaatar is the Middle Eastern traditional dip with olive oil - dunk fresh bread in quality olive oil then dunk the oil-soaked bread in the Zaatar. Also, a popular and traditional Zaatar flat bread recipe (Manaesh or Manakish), in Middle-Eastern bakeries is spreading a pasty mix of olive oil and Zaatar on flat breads or pizza dough and is best served piping hot out of an oven (optional toppings may include chopped fine tomatoes, onions, mint leaves), .

Because Zaatar is an aromatic, zesty, tangy, lively, and nutty herb and spice blend, it quickly becomes apparent that Zaatar is a versatile condiment that may season and be sprinkled on many foods. Examples include bagel and cream cheese, yogurts, salads, vegetable, eggs, meats, fruit, popcorn, and others.

More recently, Zaatar has experienced creative culinary incarnations in North America beyond its traditional uses in the Middle East. There are a variety of vegetarian and salad Zaatar recipes that use Zaatar as a dressing, as well as recipes as a rub on certain meats for seasoning and crusts.

What makes Zaatar special is its simplicity. It is non-perishable and can simply remain in a pinch dip bowl along with the olive oil on kitchen counters to be enjoyed anytime as side food, a condiment, or main meal with bread and olive oil when there's nothing else to eat!

The zaatar herbal plant, which is the mainstay ingredient in a quality mix, also makes a soothing herbal tea drink that is therapeutic, according to folk medicine in the Levant region but supported by medical research

Zaatar recipes vary somewhat but the taste should be recognizable

We believe that the 'zaatar' title is increasingly misused in the marketplace to claim taste profiles and ingredients that have little relation to an authentic middle eastern mixture. On many food blogs and product listings today, we often read that there are numerous zaatar recipes which may imply an absence of standards for taste or quality. We suggest that this is not true. There are recipe variations but there is only one zaatar taste that should be recognizable. The recipe differences between various authentic mixes is not so much in kind (overall taste) but in degree (added spice flavors and ingredient grade qualities).

For example, when the mainstay zaatar herb (Hyssop/Origanum syriacum) ingredient is not available or not affordable, substitutes are used to mimic the taste. Zaatar mixes with substitute ingredients may include a combination of thyme, oregano, marjoram but with varying degrees of quality and flavor intensity. Many commercial brands also add fillers like wheat or often unknown fillers to increase volume and lower cost (ground straw is not uncommon in very low quality mixes) The lemony and bright Sumac spice ingredient is very important also to an authentic zaatar taste. Zaatar cheats use citric acid as substitute for genuine Sumac. Freshly roasted sesame seeds are also important flavor and texture ingredient.

Recipes of zaatar mixtures in the origin Levant countries (Syria, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan) may include one or more of the following fillers (often to lower cost) and spices : ground wheat, ground peanut, ground chickpeas, ground peas, ground cumin, ground fennel, ground coriander, ground caraway, ground anise seed, ground roasted melon seed kernel, ground roasted watermelon seed kernel, ground roasted hazelnut, dried pomegranate seed, and others. Of course, there are differences in qualities and grades of any ingredient used in terms of flavor intensities, freshness, and possible contaminants (microorganisms such as salmonella, ecoli, others or heavy metals such as lead, mercury, others)

To raise the standard, we believe, for a quality zaatar mix, we invite you to try the Tyme Foods brand, conveniently sold here or on Amazon.