What Can You Cook With Za’Atar?

The History and Origins of Za’atar

Za’atar is a renowned Middle Eastern spice blend, a culinary legacy of the Levant region, an area encompassing modern-day Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Israel and Palestine. The name ‘Za’atar’ refers both to an individual herb (wild thyme in English) and to the blend, creating a sense of richness around this spice with its dual identity.

The making of Za’atar blend goes back centuries, when ancient Egyptians used Za’atar herbs for embalming mummies. Fast-forward several centuries later, the Roman and Greek armies reportedly carried za’atar in their rations, using it to enhance the flavor of food and vinegary drinks. It’s interesting to note that Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, mentioned Za’atar herb in his writings describing its medical usefulness.

Making of the Za’atar Blend and its Topography

The za’atar blend usually consists of the za’atar herb, usually a species of wild thyme or oregano, mixed with other aromatic ingredients such as toasted sesame seeds, sumac, and salt. However, these ingredients and ratios can vary significantly from region to region, family to family, resulting in different tastes, shades, and aromas, much like wine terroirs reflect a sense and taste of place.

In North Africa, for example, za’atar may have dried rose petals or Caraway seeds in it. In Turkey, za’atar goes by the name ‘zahter’ and may include fresh cheese, onions or garlic. Detailed recipe and information can be found at BBC Good Food.

The Health Benefits of Za’atar

Za’atar offers numerous health benefits a well. For starters, its main ingredient: thyme, is rich in vitamin C and is a good source of copper, fiber, iron, and manganese. Moreover, the other integral part of Za’atar – Sumac, is full of antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Some traditional medicinal uses for za’atar include as a carminative, to improve digestion and as an antiseptic. And while much of this is based on traditional knowledge and anecdotes rather than solid clinical research, there’s certainly enough evidence to suggest Za’atar has non-negligible health benefits. For more detailed information, you can visit PubMed Central.

Za’atar, whether used as a sprinkle over hummus and salads, stirred into olive oil as a dip or just a flavor boost for a slice of warm bread, it brings out layers of flavor and adds a touch of the exotic, making it an invaluable tool in every food enthusiast’s culinary armory.