Za'atar (herb)

Origanum syriacum · Herb

40 pairings

Za'atar (Origanum syriacum) is the wild fragrant herb of the Levant — a grey-green, oregano-thyme-scented plant that gives its name to the famous za'atar spice blend but is itself a distinct living herb, gathered from the sun-baked hills of the eastern Mediterranean and prized for a warm, pungent, thymol-rich aroma that sits between thyme, oregano and marjoram.

Picking a good onedrag

Just cut, stiff and loud with scentYellow, limp and scentless

Shop freshThe all-rounder for dough, labneh and salad. This is the bare herb: the tub blend sold under the same name adds sesame, a common allergen, and the sprig does not.Everyday best

The leafGrey-green, felt intact, a pale leaf low down

Stem and sprig in the handStem firm, cut end dry, the tips folding slowly

Scent of a rubbed leafClear on a firm pinch, the green lift thinner

What to look for, from just cut, stiff and loud with scent to yellow, limp and scentless.

Preparing