№109Condiments
Zaatar Herb Blend
Foundational Levantine dry condiment made of ground wild hyssop/thyme, toasted white sesame seeds, tart sumac, and sea salt.
Ingredients
What you’ll need
- 1/2 cup dried wild hyssop (or thyme)
- 1/4 cup ground sumac0 kcal · 0 g protein · 0 g fat · 0 g carbs per 100 g
- 1/4 cup white sesame seeds (toasted)571 kcal · 14.3 g protein · 57.1 g fat · 14.3 g carbs per 100 g
- 1/2 tsp coarse salt
Per-100 g values shown for ingredients verified against Nutrition data: USDA FoodData Central (snapshot 2026-09-11). Ingredients not yet verified show no nutrition line.
Method
How it comes together
- 1
Rub dried wild hyssop/thyme leaves through a fine-mesh strainer to grind them into a soft, fluffy green powder.
- 2
Toast white sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat (350°F / 175°C) for 2 minutes until golden. Let cool.
- 3
Whisk hyssop powder, toasted sesame seeds, ground sumac, and coarse salt in a bowl until completely uniform.
- 4
Store in an airtight jar. Use within 1 year.
Accuracy note
The flavor of true Origanum syriacum differs from common thyme; a substitute should be labeled as such.
Kitchen note
Wild hyssop (ezov) is the authentic herb used in za'atar, giving it a slightly minty, pine-like aroma.
Record status
Editorial provenance
This entry is part of a source-led culinary archive. It should be read as an editorial recipe record, not as a claim of individual kitchen testing or a single definitive version of a living regional tradition.
5 source references are listed with this record where available. Read the editorial standards.
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