Syrian Zaatar: The Old Blend That Makes Every Dish More

The heart of Levantine cooking comes out when you spice with Syrian zaatar—a classic mix enjoyed on Middle Eastern tables for many years.

Rising sun over Damascus brings happiness and magic to every Syrian home. The air is invigorated by the scent of tradition, heritage and everyday happiness. It’s the aroma of Syrian zaatar, much more than just a mixture of herbs—it’s a special symbol that unites people of many generations.

The Story Behind Syrian Zaatar

Syrian zaatar isn’t only a seasoning; it also tells an important part of history. For a thousand years, families in the Levant have been enjoying this wild thyme, sumac berry, sesame seed and sea salt mixture. Each ingredient has its own background, for example, wild thyme, sumac and sesame seeds.

One of the reasons Syrian zaatar is especially valued is that everything is kept in balance. The Syrian blend is different from other regional ones because it blends all its flavors perfectly and no flavor is too strong. You’ll notice the combination of herbaceous thyme with the acidity of sumac and this spice blend is rooted by the nutty addition of sesame seeds.

Why Syrian Zaatar Captivates Food Lovers Worldwide

Syrian zaatar is special because it can be used in simple dishes and completely change their taste. Many home cooks have found the power of this spice blend when shopping at Good Food and More.

The Perfect Morning Ritual

Think about it: warm flatbread that is so soft from the oven, brushed with olive oil and then generously put on Syrian zaatar. Mana’eesh is the beloved breakfast that has fed Syrian families for many years. As the food bakes, the heat from the bread brings out the flavor of the zaatar, making the house smell good and preparing our taste buds for delicious meals.

Beyond Breakfast: Endless Culinary Possibilities

Zaatar in Syria has used past mana’eesh and can be part of more meals.

Syrian zaatar adds an exotic flavor to eggplant or cauliflower that’s been roasted and is very pleasing. The herbs blend well with the vegetables and sumac helps offset the sweet and rich flavors.

Marinate your lamb or chicken with Syrian zaatar and olive oil on the grill. Wild thyme gives the meat a Mediterranean taste and when the meat is grilled, the sesame seeds stick to form a crispy crust.

Easy Salads: If your salad only has tomato and cucumber, change its texture with zesty zaatar dressing. Mixing various food elements adds substance and makes simple ingredients shine.

Serve labneh or Greek yogurt spreads with syrian zaatar as a quick snack for a true Levantine welcome.

The Art of Choosing Authentic Syrian Zaatar

Zaatar can have very different results depending on its recipe. A perfect Syrian zaatar will be bright green because of the fresh wild thyme and should show small red sumac and golden sesame grains. You should notice an aroma that is herbaceous, tangy and nutty immediately.

Authenticity is very important to us at Good Food and More. To get the correct Syrian taste, each ingredient needs to be of excellent quality. The zaatar from Syria we use keeps the traditional standards and high quality that have been used by Syrian cooks for ages.

Creating Your Own Syrian Zaatar Experience

There is something special about zaatar that combines enjoyment from its flavor with the experience of enjoying it with others. Zaatar is eaten with bread in Syrian culture as a sign of warmth and friendship. When you bake mana'eesh for others, you carry on a tradition that is practiced in many places and by many people in history.

Simple Syrian Zaatar Mana'eesh

Delicious warm pita or homemade flatbread is the best way to begin. Spread a thick layer of good olive oil on the bread and then put the zaatar on top of it. The oil should look glossy and help the spices reach into all the tiny spaces in the bread. Have the falafel right after it is fried or baked, with fresh vegetables, olives and some labneh.

Modern Twists on Ancient Flavors

Though tradition forms the basis, you can experiment with how you use Syrian zaatar. Toast it as an extra addition to avocado on sourdough, mix it into softened butter for grilled seafood or sprinkle it onto damp fresh mozzarella cheese and tomatoes for a caprese salad.

The Good Food and More Promise

We feel that food brings people together, teaching us about cultures by having them in our homes. Because we believe in being true to ourselves, choosing our Syrian zaatar means supporting a tradition-based approach to cooking, yet also encouraging unique new ideas.

All of our zaatar comes from producers who agree that the quality must not be reduced. We check every batch to confirm they are as tasty, flavorful and real as they should be. Since making Syrian food is special, you need to use the best quality ingredients.

Embracing the Syrian Zaatar Lifestyle

Adding Syrian za'atar to your cooking shows that you care about simple food, good ingredients and connections with others. It means seeing that the finest meals are often created from simple ingredients that are prepared carefully and according to tradition.

Syrian zaatar gives both experienced chefs and new food explorers a chance to try the delicious flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine.

Your Journey Starts Here

Want to see what makes Syrian zaatar so special? Good Food and More is committed to aiding home cooks in making dishes that reminded families of special times together. Syrian zaatar is just a starting point for many different recipes to come.

Select from our wide variety of Middle Eastern ingredients to learn why so many loyal customers trust Good Food and More for good food, genuine flavors and new ideas. Because meals are a way to share your life story and we’re here to help you tell yours.

Visit us Good Food and More to get the delicious and aromatic flavors of Syrian cooking at your place. Thank the flavor and the people eating your meals for letting you know when they like what you make.