Za'atar (red)

Za'atar, named after the traditional main ingredient, the Syrian marjoram, is a spice mixture made from green herbs, sumac and sesame seeds. The original mixture would be just a combination of Syrian marjoram, sesame seeds and salt.

The word za'atar is not only the name of the mixture, but also of a group of herbs: savory, wild basil-thyme, thyme and the herbs of the oregano genus, including marjoram and oregano. So it is not surprising that many za'atars nowadays contain oregano, thyme and common marjoram, all three za'atars.

In the Middle Ages, za'atar (with sumac) was used as a medicine, as was done with many herbs, spices and mixtures. For example, it was used for colds.

Za'atar is often provided with its own signature, and is therefore available in all conceivable variations on the market. The closest to the original recipe is 'green za'atar', but usually too little sesame seed is added, so that the taste remains somewhat flat; the ratio of spices to sesame should be about 4:1. Sumac has been added to 'red' za'atar, as in medieval medicine. Our za'atar is of the latter type, but contains no salt. The advantage of this is that adding za'atar does not affect the salt content of the dish, which you can salt as needed.

Za'atar, like bahārāt, is a widespread Arabic spice mixture, which is used as a rub or marinade (mixed with olive oil) for the preparation of beef, lamb, chicken or fish, as a sprinkle over hummus, yogurt, labneh or baba ganoush! Also delicious over baked potatoes. Remember that the green herbs are not hard, like rosemary, and can burn when you fry them with the potatoes (see tip below).

Smell and taste

Za'atar is very fragrant. Since the sesame seeds are already toasted, you can prepare it as a 'raw' sprinkle. To bring out the aromas of za'atar even better, you can heat up the za'atar in some butter (do not roast or bake!).

Attributes:

• this (red) za'atar contains: thyme, black cumin (Bunium persicum), coriander (leaf), sesame, sumac (Rhus coriaria) and Syrian marjoram (Majorana syriaca)
  
• origin: Middle East, Persian cuisine (Iran)

Allergen information

• this za'atar has been carefully composed in the United Kingdom
• the mixture contains sesame, and may contain traces of celery and mustard

Assortment

• available in glass and pouch (no test tubes)
  
• glass jar contains 60 grams
• standup pouches with a content of up to 30 to 250 grams
• larger quantities on request

Gift Wrap

• the jar is available in a tasteful gift box, consisting of a cube box filled with black tissue paper
• for an overview of our gift packaging, please refer to the category gift packaging

General advice

• keep za'atar in a dark, dry and cool place
  

Save:

• keep your za'atar in closed packaging
• preferably store in a dark, dry and cool place
• best before November 2024 (11/24)
• this best before date is an indication