Spice

Za'atar

Za'atar is a Levantine herb-and-spice blend classically built on dried hyssop or thyme-like herbs, sumac, sesame, and salt—proportions vary by family and region. Flavour is herbal, tart, nutty, and savoury. It is a blend product, not a single plant (though the word also names related wild herbs). Mix with oil for man'oushe flatbread, sprinkle on labneh, eggs, and roasted vegetables. Buy from spice merchants with good turnover; sesame oils go rancid.

Also known as: Zaatar, Za'atar, Za'atar

Track this ingredient

Quantity

Unit

Kg Liters Whole

Note

Explore further

Blend

Breeds & varieties

A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.

View all

Palestinian Za'atar

Lebanese Za'atar

Green Za'atar Blend

Syrian Za'atar

Characteristics

Preparations

DriedMixedOil PasteSprinkled

Provenance

OrganicSeasonalSingle Origin

Sources

Indoor FarmedOutdoor FarmedWild

Traits

AromaticBlendedHerbalSavourySeasoningSesameTart

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 390

Amount per 100 g

Total Fat 9.12 g
Saturated Fat 1.82 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Monounsaturated Fat 2.74 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.56 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 42.5 mg
Salt 0.1 g
Total Carbohydrate 65 g
Dietary Fibre 25 g
Total Sugars 3 g
Complex / starch 15.2 g
Protein 12.1 g
Water 9.04 g

Detailed nutrients

Energy 390 kcal
Water 9.04 g
Carbohydrates 65 g
- Sugars 3 g
  - Monosaccharides 3.5 g
  - Disaccharides 1.5 g
- Starch 15.2 g
  - Amylose 3.79 g
  - Amylopectin 11.4 g
  - Digestible Starch 12.9 g
  - Resistant Starch 1.52 g
- Fibre 25 g
  - Soluble Fibre 9.38 g
  - Insoluble Fibre 17.4 g
Protein 12.1 g
- Plant Protein 9.57 g
Fat 9.12 g
- Saturated Fat 1.82 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 2.74 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 4.56 g
  - Omega-3 0.68 g
  - Omega-6 1.48 g
Vitamins 100 mg
- Vitamin A 20 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.11 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.16 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 2.1 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.52 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.31 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 3.1 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 40.4 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin E 1.98 mg
- Vitamin K 29.5 µg
Minerals 365 mg
- Major Minerals 358 mg
  - Calcium 68 mg
  - Sodium 42.5 mg
  - Potassium 248 mg
- Trace Minerals 6.7 mg
  - Iron 1.3 mg
  - Zinc 0.4 mg
  - Iodine 5 µg
Salt 0.1 g
- Sodium Chloride 0.1 g

Vitamins

vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-a: 20 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.11 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.16 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 2.1 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.52 · vitamin-b6: 0.31 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 3.1 · vitamin-b9-folate: 40.4 · vitamin-e: 1.98 · vitamin-k: 29.5 ·

Minerals

Sodium: 42.45 · Potassium: 248 · Calcium: 68 · Iron: 1.3 · Zinc: 0.4 · Iodine: 5 ·

Dried spices are concentrated plant tissue—fibre-heavy by weight, used in gram doses.

In the kitchen

Culinary partners and combinations that usually underperform with Za'atar.

Pairs well with

Classic and complementary matches

BreadLevantine breakfast
Chicken
Lemon
OliveManakish
Tomato
YoghurtLabneh

Usually avoid with

Often clash in flavour or tradition

History

1000LB

Levantine households mixed za'atar blends for bread and daily seasoning.

1900PS

Palestinian and wider Levantine bakeries made za'atar man'oushe a breakfast icon.

2000

Global Middle Eastern pantries stocked jarred za'atar blends.