What does za'atar taste like?

Za'atar tastes herby, tangy and nutty: a wild herb close to thyme and oregano, lemony sumac and toasted sesame seeds, all held together with salt.

Za'atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend, and also the name of the wild herb at its heart, which tastes like a cross between thyme and oregano. Mixed with sumac (a dried red berry that tastes like lemon without the juice) and toasted sesame, it lands somewhere between a pizza herb and a salad dressing. It's savory, a bit sour and gently nutty. Stirred into olive oil and baked onto bread, it turns warm and fragrant, and you'll want to drag that bread through everything.

Where you’ll see it

On man'oushe, a flatbread brushed with olive oil and za'atar, and sprinkled over labneh, hummus, eggs, roast chicken and roasted vegetables. Bread with oil and za'atar for dipping is a common starter.

Order it if you like savory herbs and a little lemony tang on your bread.