Za’atar is the cornerstone of Middle Eastern cooking — a brilliantly fragrant blend typically combining dried thyme, sumac, sesame seeds and sea salt. Used across Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Israel and Jordan for centuries, it’s one of those spice blends that immediately transports you to a different culinary world. The sourness of sumac against the earthiness of thyme and the nuttiness of sesame creates something genuinely greater than the sum of its parts.
Health Benefits
- Thyme is rich in thymol — a powerful natural antimicrobial and antifungal compound
- Sumac is one of the highest-antioxidant spices available — rich in gallic acid and anthocyanins
- Sesame seeds provide calcium, zinc and healthy fats
- The combination has been used as a cognitive enhancer in traditional Arab medicine — some research supports thymol’s neuroprotective properties
Recipe Ideas
- The classic: Mix za’atar with good olive oil and use as a dip for fresh flatbread — breakfast in Lebanon
- Labneh: Press into strained yoghurt cheese with olive oil — serve with flatbread and olives
- Roasted chicken: Rub under the skin with butter and za’atar before roasting
- Roasted vegetables: Toss over cauliflower or sweet potato with olive oil before roasting
- Eggs: Scatter over fried or scrambled eggs with good olive oil
