Za'atar ( ; , ) is a versatile herb blend and family of wild herbs native to the

Levant The Levant ( ) is the subregion that borders the Eastern Mediterranean, Eastern Mediterranean sea to the west, and forms the core of West Asia and the political term, Middle East, ''Middle East''. In its narrowest sense, which is in use toda ...

, central to

Middle Eastern cuisine Middle Eastern cuisine includes a number of cuisines from the Middle East. Common ingredients include olives and olive oil, pitas, honey, sesame seeds, dates, sumac, chickpeas, mint, rice and parsley, and popular dishes include '' kebabs'', ...

and culture. The term refers both to aromatic plants of the '' Origanum'' and '' Thymbra'' genera (including '' Origanum syriacum'', known as Bible hyssop) and to the prepared spice mixture of dried herbs, toasted sesame seeds, sumac, and

salt In common usage, salt is a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl). When used in food, especially in granulated form, it is more formally called table salt. In the form of a natural crystalline mineral, salt is also known as r ...

. With roots stretching back to

ancient Egypt Ancient Egypt () was a cradle of civilization concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in Northeast Africa. It emerged from prehistoric Egypt around 3150BC (according to conventional Egyptian chronology), when Upper and Lower E ...

and classical antiquity, za'atar has been used for millennia as a seasoning, folk remedy, and cultural symbol. The spice blend varies regionally, with Lebanese versions emphasizing sumac's tartness, while Palestinian varieties may include caraway. It flavors iconic dishes like '' manakish'' (za'atar flatbread), enhances labneh and hummus, and is mixed with

olive oil Olive oil is a vegetable oil obtained by pressing whole olives (the fruit of ''Olea europaea'', a traditional Tree fruit, tree crop of the Mediterranean Basin) and extracting the oil. It is commonly used in cooking for frying foods, as a cond ...

as a dip (''za'atar-wu-zayt''). Beyond cuisine, medieval Arabic and Jewish medical texts, including works by

Maimonides Moses ben Maimon (1138–1204), commonly known as Maimonides (, ) and also referred to by the Hebrew acronym Rambam (), was a Sephardic rabbi and Jewish philosophy, philosopher who became one of the most prolific and influential Torah schola ...

, documented za'atar's digestive benefits, and Palestinian tradition associates it with mental alertness.

Etymology

The linguistic origins of za'atar trace back to ancient

Semitic languages The Semitic languages are a branch of the Afroasiatic languages, Afroasiatic language family. They include Arabic, Amharic, Tigrinya language, Tigrinya, Aramaic, Hebrew language, Hebrew, Maltese language, Maltese, Modern South Arabian language ...

. Assyriologist Ignace Gelb identified the Akkadian word ' as potentially referring to a spice plant, which may represent an early cognate. This term appears related to the Syriac () and

Arabic Arabic (, , or , ) is a Central Semitic languages, Central Semitic language of the Afroasiatic languages, Afroasiatic language family spoken primarily in the Arab world. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) assigns lang ...

(, alternatively spelled , ). Scholars suggest these terms may have influenced the Latin ''Satureia'', referring to plants in the genus.Gelb, 1956, p. 74. The species ''

Satureja thymbra ''Satureja thymbra'', commonly known as savory of Crete, whorled savory, pink savory, and Roman hyssop (Arabic Language, Arabic: ''za'atar rumi''; ''za'atar franji''), is a perennial-green dwarf shrub of the family (biology), family Lamiaceae, ha ...

'' demonstrates this linguistic connection through its various vernacular names across cultures: known as "Persian za'atar" in some contexts, while Arabic sources refer to it as (Roman hyssop) and (European hyssop).Allen, 2007
p. 230
Faculté de Médecine de Paris, 1818
p. clxxviii
In

Modern Hebrew Modern Hebrew (, or ), also known as Israeli Hebrew or simply Hebrew, is the Standard language, standard form of the Hebrew language spoken today. It is the only surviving Canaanite language, as well as one of the List of languages by first w ...

, the term () was adopted as a direct

loanword A loanword (also a loan word, loan-word) is a word at least partly assimilated from one language (the donor language) into another language (the recipient or target language), through the process of borrowing. Borrowing is a metaphorical term t ...

from Arabic.

Botany and species

Several aromatic plants from the

Lamiaceae The Lamiaceae ( ) or Labiatae are a family (biology), family of flowering plants commonly known as the mint, deadnettle, or sage family. Many of the plants are aromatic in all parts and include widely used culinary herbs like basil (herb), ba ...

family are identified as za'atar across the

Middle East The Middle East (term originally coined in English language) is a geopolitical region encompassing the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Turkey, Egypt, Iran, and Iraq. The term came into widespread usage by the United Kingdom and western Eur ...

. The primary species include ''Origanum syriacum'', known regionally as Bible hyssop, Arabic

oregano Oregano (, ; ''Origanum vulgare'') is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It was native to the Mediterranean region, but widely naturalised elsewhere in the temperate climate, temperate Northern Hemisphere. Oregano is a ...

, or wild marjoram. This plant, along with its close relatives ''Origanum vulgare'' (European oregano) and ''Origanum majorana'' (sweet marjoram), forms the botanical basis for za'atar preparations, though these species are frequently confused due to their similar characteristics.Seidemann, 2005, p. 365. The designation "za'atar" extends to other aromatic plants, including ''Thymbra spicata'', a Levantine native cultivated in

North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere, Northern and Western Hemisphere, Western hemispheres. North America is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South Ameri ...

by Lebanese and Syrian immigrant communities since the 1940s.Gardner, 2004
p. 326
Another significant variety, ''Thymus capitatus'' (also classified as ''Satureja capitata''), grows throughout the Mediterranean Middle East and holds particular cultural significance in Palestine, where

thyme Thyme () is a culinary herb consisting of the dried aerial parts of some members of the genus ''Thymus (plant), Thymus'' of flowering plants in the mint family Lamiaceae. Thymes are native to Eurasia and north Africa. Thymes have culinary, medici ...

remains deeply tied to local culinary traditions.Basan, 2007
p. 196
The Poetry Society, 2006
p. 5
Regional terminology sometimes includes ''Origanum vulgare'' under the name "wild za'atar" (), though it is more commonly known internationally as European oregano or wild marjoram. This species thrives across Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, and Palestine, where it contributes to distinctive local variations of the spice mixture.

History

The use of za'atar plants dates back to ancient civilizations, with archaeological and textual evidence indicating its importance in multiple cultures. In

Ancient Egypt Ancient Egypt () was a cradle of civilization concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in Northeast Africa. It emerged from prehistoric Egypt around 3150BC (according to conventional Egyptian chronology), when Upper and Lower E ...

, botanical remains identified as Thymbra spicata – one of the species used in modern za'atar preparations – were discovered in the tomb of

Tutankhamun Tutankhamun or Tutankhamen, (; ), was an Egyptian pharaoh who ruled during the late Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt, Eighteenth Dynasty of ancient Egypt. Born Tutankhaten, he instituted the restoration of the traditional polytheistic form of an ...

(14th century BCE). The Greek physician

Dioscorides Pedanius Dioscorides (, ; 40–90 AD), "the father of pharmacognosy", was a Greek physician, pharmacologist, botanist, and author of (in the original , , both meaning "On Materia medica, Medical Material") , a 5-volume Greek encyclopedic phar ...

later recorded that this species was known to the Egyptians as ''saem'', though the precise ancient Egyptian name for za'atar remains uncertain.Manniche, 1989
p. 150
Classical sources further document the plant's significance.

Pliny the Elder Gaius Plinius Secundus (AD 23/24 79), known in English as Pliny the Elder ( ), was a Roman Empire, Roman author, Natural history, naturalist, and naval and army commander of the early Roman Empire, and a friend of the Roman emperor, emperor Vesp ...

's ''

Natural History Natural history is a domain of inquiry involving organisms, including animals, fungi, and plants, in their natural environment, leaning more towards observational than experimental methods of study. A person who studies natural history is cal ...

'' (1st century CE) mentions ''maron'' as a component of ''Regale Unguentum'' ("Royal Perfume"), a luxurious fragrance used by Parthian rulers. While the exact identification of maron remains debated, scholars have suggested possible connections to za'atar-related species.This is usually rendered as English ''marum'' (defined by the

Oxford English Dictionary The ''Oxford English Dictionary'' (''OED'') is the principal historical dictionary of the English language, published by Oxford University Press (OUP), a University of Oxford publishing house. The dictionary, which published its first editio ...

as '' Thymus mastichina'' or '' Teucrium marum''), but Dalby interprets this as '' Origanum syriacum'' and translates it as ''zatar''; Dalby, 2000
p. 189
Dalby, 2002
p. 108
Jewish tradition has consistently associated za'atar with biblical references. Prominent scholars including

Saadia Gaon Saʿadia ben Yosef Gaon (892–942) was a prominent rabbi, Geonim, gaon, Jews, Jewish philosopher, and exegesis, exegete who was active in the Abbasid Caliphate. Saadia is the first important rabbinic figure to write extensively in Judeo-Arabic ...

(10th century), Abraham ibn Ezra (12th century),

(12th–13th century), and

Obadiah of Bertinoro Obadiah ben Abraham of Bertinoro (; 1445 – 1515), commonly known as "The Bartenura", was a 15th-century Italian rabbi best known for his popular commentary on the Mishnah. In his later years, he rejuvenated the Jewish community of Jerusale ...

(15th–16th century) identified the '' ezov'' mentioned in the

Hebrew Bible The Hebrew Bible or Tanakh (;"Tanach"
. '' Exodus 12:22 and other passages) with the Arabic za'atar. This connection appears in both Rabbinic and Samaritan traditions, as evidenced by the consistent identification across different Hebrew and Samaritan scriptural versions.Isser, 1976
p. 99

Preparation and variations

Za'atar refers both to wild herbs of the '' Origanum'' and '' Thymbra'' genera and to the prepared spice mixture that has become a culinary staple across the Middle East. Traditionally, the condiment is made by grinding ''Origanum syriacum'' and mixing it with roasted sesame seeds and

, often enhanced with sumac berries for tartness. Where ''Origanum syriacum'' is unavailable, cooks substitute thyme,

, marjoram, or blends thereof, demonstrating the adaptability of this ancient seasoning. This practice of creating household variations throughout the

Fertile Crescent The Fertile Crescent () is a crescent-shaped region in the Middle East, spanning modern-day Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria, together with northern Kuwait, south-eastern Turkey, and western Iran. Some authors also include ...

Iraq Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in West Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to Iraq–Saudi Arabia border, the south, Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq border, the east, the Persian Gulf and ...

, and the

Arabian Peninsula The Arabian Peninsula (, , or , , ) or Arabia, is a peninsula in West Asia, situated north-east of Africa on the Arabian plate. At , comparable in size to India, the Arabian Peninsula is the largest peninsula in the world. Geographically, the ...

has contributed to Western observers' challenges in precisely identifying the spice components referenced in historical texts,Heine, 2004
p. 69
with some potential early mentions found in the Yale Babylonian Collection though lacking definitive attribution.Kaufman, 2006
p. 29
Regional variations showcase za'atar's diversity. Lebanese versions are distinguished by their dark red hue from generous amounts of sumac, sometimes accented with orange zest, while Palestinian blends often incorporate caraway seeds for distinctive flavor notes.Nabhan, 2004
p. 88–89
Commercial preparations have adapted to modern markets, sometimes using wheat flour as a bulking agent or adding spices like savory, cumin,

coriander Coriander (), whose leaves are known as cilantro () in the U.S. and parts of Canada, and dhania in parts of South Asia and Africa, is an annual plant, annual herb (''Coriandrum sativum'') in the family Apiaceae. Most people perceive the ...

, and

fennel Fennel (''Foeniculum vulgare'') is a flowering plant species in the carrot family. It is a hardy, perennial herb with yellow flowers and feathery leaves. It is indigenous to the shores of the Mediterranean but has become widely naturalized ...

seed for complexity.Roberts, 2000
p. 84
Like other traditional Arab spice blends such as '' baharat'' (the Egyptian mixture of

cinnamon Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several tree species from the genus ''Cinnamomum''. Cinnamon is used mainly as an aromatic condiment and flavouring additive in a wide variety of cuisines, sweet and savoury dishes, biscuits, b ...

, cloves, and allspice), za'atar is valued not only for its flavor but also for its high

antioxidant Antioxidants are Chemical compound, compounds that inhibit Redox, oxidation, a chemical reaction that can produce Radical (chemistry), free radicals. Autoxidation leads to degradation of organic compounds, including living matter. Antioxidants ...

content.

Culinary uses

Za'atar enjoys widespread use across Middle Eastern cuisine, both as a dried spice blend and fresh

herb Herbs are a widely distributed and widespread group of plants, excluding vegetables, with savory or aromatic properties that are used for flavoring and garnishing food, for medicinal purposes, or for fragrances. Culinary use typically distingu ...

. The traditional preparation involves sun-drying the herb mixture before combining it with salt, toasted sesame seeds, and tart sumac.Swedenburg, 2003
p. 59
This versatile seasoning appears in numerous culinary applications, from simple daily fare to more elaborate dishes. One of the most iconic uses is in baked goods, particularly '' manakish bi zaatar'' – flatbreads topped with a paste of za'atar and

before baking.Carter et al., 2004
p. 68
Similarly, ka'ak, the soft sesame bread popular throughout the eastern Mediterranean, is frequently served with za'atar either as a dipping accompaniment or as a filling.Cheshin et al., 2001
p. 14
The combination of za'atar with olive oil creates ''za'atar-wu-zayt'' (called ''zeit ou za'atar'' in some regions), a creamy spread commonly enjoyed with pita bread. Beyond breads, za'atar seasons a variety of dishes. It enhances grilled meats and roasted vegetables, adds depth to hummus, and complements dairy products like labneh, the thick strained yogurt cheese.Marin and Deguilhem, 2002
p. 69
In Lebanon, this pairing reaches its zenith with shanklish – labneh balls cured and rolled in za'atar for a flavorful coating.Savill and O'Meara, 2005
p. 273
Fresh za'atar leaves feature prominently in Levantine salads, particularly ''salatet al-zaatar al-akhdar'', which combines the herb with onions, garlic,

lemon The lemon (''Citrus'' × ''limon'') is a species of small evergreen tree in the ''Citrus'' genus of the flowering plant family Rutaceae. A true lemon is a hybrid of the citron and the bitter orange. Its origins are uncertain, but some ...

, and olive oil. The herb's versatility extends to stuffed pastries like börek and even beverages. In Oman, za'atar transforms into an aromatic herbal tea when steeped in hot water, showcasing its range beyond savory applications.Marshall Cavendish, 2007
p. 309
These diverse uses reflect za'atar's integral role in the region's food culture, from everyday breakfasts in Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Lebanon to specialty dishes across the Arab world.Ray, 2004
p. 154

Folk medicine

Za'atar has held a significant place in traditional medicine across Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures for centuries. Historical records document its therapeutic applications, with medieval Arabic medical texts particularly emphasizing its value. The 13th-century pharmacological work ''A-lma'tmd fi al-a'douiah al-mfrdah'' (The approved book in single drugs), attributed to physician al-Turkomani (1222–1297), classifies za'atar as both a culinary and medicinal herb, specifically noting its efficacy in treating gastrointestinal disorders. The text describes its ability to soothe abdominal pain, strengthen intestinal membranes, and improve digestion. This medicinal reputation extended across cultural traditions. The renowned Jewish philosopher-physician Maimonides (1135–1204), who practiced medicine in Al-Andalus, Morocco, and Egypt, recommended za'atar for its health-promoting properties in his medical writings.Marks, 2010
p. 630
Some ancient Mediterranean cultures believed it could combat internal parasites. In Palestinian folk medicine, za'atar maintains a cognitive association, with traditional practice encouraging children to consume it at breakfast to enhance mental alertness before school.

Cultural and political significance

Za'atar holds deep cultural meaning across the Levant, serving as both a culinary staple and a symbol of heritage. The herb has been an integral part of Arab cuisine since medieval times, used alongside other spiced salts in daily cooking.Basan, 2007
p. 27
For Palestinians in particular, za'atar carries special significance as a cultural marker – its presence in a household often signifies a Palestinian home, while for refugees, it serves as a tangible connection to their villages and regions of origin.Lien and Nerlich, 2004
pp. 148–149.
/ref> The plant's significance has evolved in modern political contexts. While traditionally harvested by Arab communities and used in Arab bakeries, za'atar has been widely adopted into

Israeli cuisine Israeli cuisine primarily comprises dishes brought from the Jewish diaspora, and has more recently been defined by the development of a notable fusion cuisine characterized by the mixing of Jewish cuisine and Arab cuisine.Gold, Rozann''A Region's ...

since the mid-20th century. Some Israeli producers market za'atar products using terms like "hyssop" or "holy hyssop," though true '' Hyssopus officinalis'' does not grow wild in the region, unlike the common ''Origanum vulgare''. Conservation efforts have created complex legal situations. In 1977, Israel declared Origanum syriacum a protected species due to

overharvesting Overexploitation, also called overharvesting or ecological overshoot, refers to harvesting a renewable resource to the point of diminishing returns. Continued overexploitation can lead to the destruction of the resource, as it will be unable to ...

concerns, with stricter limits imposed in 2005 carrying potential fines for violations. While intended as

environmental protection Environmental protection, or environment protection, refers to the taking of measures to protecting the natural environment, prevent pollution and maintain ecological balance. Action may be taken by individuals, advocacy groups and governments. ...

, these measures have drawn criticism from some Arab citizens who view them as restricting traditional foraging practices, with some characterizing the laws as "almost anti-Arab". The regulations extended to the

West Bank The West Bank is located on the western bank of the Jordan River and is the larger of the two Palestinian territories (the other being the Gaza Strip) that make up the State of Palestine. A landlocked territory near the coast of the Mediter ...

, where in 2006 there were reported instances of za'atar plants being confiscated at Israeli checkpoints.

Distribution

The use of za'atar spans the Levant, from Lebanon and Syria to Jordan, Palestine, and Israel, and extends across the Arab world to Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia.

Notes

References

Bibliography

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

External links

* {{portal bar, Food Herb and spice mixtures Arab spices Israeli cuisine Jordanian cuisine Lebanese cuisine Levantine cuisine Palestinian cuisine Syrian cuisine Turkish cuisine Condiments National symbols of Palestine Mediterranean cuisine