Welcome to the Blogging from A to Z Challenge! Each day in April (except Sundays) I’ll be posting about unusual and exotic foods.
Za’atar, or زَعْتَر in Arabic, is an herb and also the name of the spice mixture typically used as a condiment, which includes the herb za’atar as well as toasted sesame seeds, dried sumac, and salt, as well as thyme, oregano, and marjoram. The name za’atar alone most properly applies to hyssop, a shrub in the mint family. Some varieties of za’atar may add cumin, coriander, and fennel seed. There are so many versions, depending on the region and familial history.
Za’atar, both the herb and the condiment, is popular in Algeria, Armenia, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkey. It can be mixed with olive oil and spread on a pita, or mixed in with hummus, or sprinkled onto meats and vegetables. A traditional beverage in Oman is za’atar steeped in boiling water to make a herbal tea!
I’m surprised Trader Joe’s doesn’t carry za’atar in little glass jars. Maybe someday soon.
So, last time I’ll ask – would you try za’atar?
Thank you for joining me on this culinary trip around the world! I hope you learned something from these posts, and perhaps you have found one or two interesting items to try.
Martha Reynolds Writes 
Would certainly try in small doses!
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I love trying new spices. I would definitely try this one. Weekends In Maine
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Of course I would! We eat tzatziki all the time and it’s in our recipe! Cheers! Love your blog- great work and so educational and interesting! Take care and be well!
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Sounds good! Thank you so much for this great and fun challenge, some of your proposals were challenging indeed! I enjoyed a lot reading your posts!
Take care, and stay healthy.
Z is for Zakka
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That was a fun, even though most things I would not try. I do think I would try this spice though.
Thank you for taking us one this culinary journey
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Great Job !!! Mz. Martha. I didn’t finish this year but I followed along. Hopefully I can get back to my happy place and start blogging again ❤ Blessings and good for you ❤
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I’ve never used it, but it sounds delicious. Thanks for a month of food adventures Martha. I like trying new foods, but…maybe not everything you discovered.
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I have to say for the most part this month the answer was a resounding no. I would not eat that 🙂 I did enjoy learning about other foods though. This one is a yes though, sounds delicious! Congratulations on finishing 🙂
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Yes, I would try za’atar. Thank you much for the food entertainment this month.
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Yes, I would try za’atar.
Thank you so much, Martha, for introducing us to some amazing and unusual foods from around the world.
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Thank you, Wendy
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I’m betting that I’ve already had it! I like many Middle Eastern foods and have gone to festivals etc. It sounds interesting too. I know I haven’t had the tea version.
Thanks for the fun topic this year! I’m already looking forward to next year!
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Thanks, Lori! Looking forward to something new next year!
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I had to look it up………it cost about $12 per pound versus Saffron; almost $1800. per pound……so yea, why not, I would try it!
Martha, Congratulations on finishing the A-Z Challenge. Your blogs this year were some of the most unique yet. I enjoyed following along. Zulu Delta
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Thanks, Dennis! I’ve enjoyed your posts, too.
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I’d try cooking with it. I enjoy experimenting with spices to create different flavors.
I really enjoyed your posts this month, Martha. Thank you!
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Let me know when you use it, Deb – I’d be interested to hear! And thank you so much.
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So, my comment disappeared and I’ll try again.
Yes! I cook with za’atar or zatar. I buy mine from Penzey’s Spices.
Thanks for taking us on a journey into the ‘food’ world. I love to cook and eat so this was very interesting. And finally, something I have actually tried and enjoy.
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Oh, Penzeys! Love them. I’ll have to order it next time. Thanks for following and always leaving a comment, Denise – I appreciate it. Be well!
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YES! I do cook with za’atar or zatar. I buy mine at Penzey’s Spices.
Thanks for the trip into the ‘food’ world. I love to cook and eat so this was very interesting.
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