Za'atar
The best za'atar we've ever tasted! Savory, nutty and tart.
- Regular price
- $9.99
- Regular price
- Sale price
- $9.99
- Unit price
- per
- Availability
-
- Sale price
- $9.99
Why Burlap & Barrel?
Single origin spices sourced directly from small farms
Over 10,000 5-star reviews
Guaranteed to wow you or we'll replace
Our spectacular Za'atar is grown and blended in Palestine, where it has been a staple seasoning, topping and condiment for as long as recorded history. The name za'atar refers to both the herb itself (a relative of oregano) and the classic blend where the herb is ground and mixed with sesame, sumac and salt. Use as a finishing spice, a seasoning to roast meat or vegetables, or as a dip mixed with fresh olive oil.
Za'atar is a blend named after its key ingredient, a Levantine species of oregano that flourishes in the region's characteristic arid conditions, and it also includes sesame seeds, sumac and other ingredients, depending on who's making it. Good za'atar tastes savory, deeply herbal, piney, nutty, tart and peppery.
We're able to share this za'atar because of the expertise, persistence and creativity of more people than you probably realize — we assembled a scrappy team of farmers, millers, entrepreneurs, freight forwarders and at least one father-in-law who pieced together a whole supply chain for you. It represents a shared pride and passion for their land, its people and their culture. When we talk about heirloom spices, this is what we're talking about.
The miller, Abu Ali, said, "We do this from our hearts out of love. Working in the mill bringing the smell of the za'atar in the air makes us all love our job even more. We want the world to know we love our culture and want to share the love of our culture by working hard daily just so we can bring joy into everyone’s home."
Za'atar is also available in our Origin Blends Collection. Click here to learn about all of our origin blends.
The 8-spice collection includes:
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Our spectacular Za'atar is grown and blended in Palestine, where it has been a staple seasoning, topping and condiment for as long as recorded history. Use as a finishing spice, a seasoning to roast meat or vegetables, or as a dip mixed with fresh olive oil.![]()
Origin:Ein Samiya, Palestine
Size: 1.6 oz
Ingredients:Za'atar (Origanum syriacum), toasted sesame seeds, sumac, salt
- Mix with olive oil as a dip for bread or rub for vegetables or protein
- Use as a rub for baked chicken or eggs
- Roast vegetables and potatoes, then top with tahini and za'atar
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Our Berbere is an iconic and deeply flavorful blend of berbere chilies that are dried, ground, fermented, dried again and finally blended with over a dozen indigenous Ethiopian spices and herbs. Beloved across Ethiopia and Eritrea as the seasoning for rich stews and meats.![]()
Origin:Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Size: 1.8 oz![]()
Heat index: Medium![]()
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Ingredients:Berbere-variety chili peppers, garlic, onions, holy basil, rue, rosemary, ginger, grains of paradise, thyme, fenugreek, cumin, kosseret, cinnamon, ajwain, long pepper, cloves, salt
- Use in Ethiopian dishes like tibs, chechebsa, misir and tomato sauces
- Rub meat or proteins before grilling or roasting
- Sprinkle into a pot of beans, especially with coconut milk!
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The night market in Stone Town's Forodhani Gardens is famous for grilled seafood and tiny meat kebabs, heavily seasoned with savory, complex Tandoori spices. A rich combination of Indian, Arabian and East African roasting and grilling traditions.![]()
Origin:Stone Town, Zanzibar
Size: 1.9 oz
Ingredients:Garlic, paprika, coriander, cumin, ginger, cloves, fenugreek, cardamom, mustard
- Rub on meat or vegetables before roasting or grilling
- Add to marinades for a rich, savory burst of flavor
- Make a soup or stew with tomatoes and serve with yogurt
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Beloved in Zanzibar's kitchens and street stalls, our Chai is warm, comforting and ethereally fragrant. The archipelago's prized pink cloves are blended with locally sourced cinnamon, cardamom, lemongrass and orange peel to create an East African homage to a beloved Indian masala.![]()
Origin:Stone Town, Zanzibar
Size: 2.0 oz
Ingredients:Cardamom, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, black pepper, thyme, lemongrass, orange peel
- Zanzibar Chai (recipe from our partners in Zanzibar)
- Chai-Chili Brownies
- Add to cookies, pastries and pie dough
- Sub for spice blends in pumpkin or apple pies
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Herbes de Provence is an iconic blend of hardy, aromatic herbs and a cornerstone of French cooking. Unlike every other product in the US, ours is truly grown and blended in Provence itself, by a cooperative of farmers who cultivate organic heirloom herbs and craft a perfectly balanced, traditional mélange. Add to tomato sauces, roasts, pan sauces and any other dish for a boost of savory, fragrant aromatics.![]()
Origin:Provence, France
Size: 0.8 oz
Ingredients:Rosemary, savory, oregano, thyme
- Rub on proteins (especially chicken) before braising or baking
- Sprinkle over fresh tomatoes with good olive oil and bake, then eat with crusty bread
- Coat potatoes in a mixture of olive oil and salt, then add herbs and bake or pan-fry
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Our Five Spice is an ancient, aromatic, versatile blend beloved across East Asia. Called Ngũ Vị Hương in Vietnamese and 五香粉 in Chinese, it's named for the five traditional Chinese flavors (sweet, bitter, tart, salty and savory). It brings a warm, savory, slightly spicy burst of flavor to grilling rubs, stews, sauces, stir-fries, braises and red cooking.![]()
Origin:Hanoi, Vietnam
Size: 1.8 oz
Ingredients:Star anise, cinnamon, ginger, chili pepper, clove, black pepper, cardamom, fennel seed, mac khen pepper
- Combine with soy sauce as a glaze for cooking protein or hearty vegetables
- Use as a sub for cinnamon in desserts
- Add to braises, beans and other long-cooked dishes
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Deeply savory and bursting with flavor, Köfte Baharat is a traditional Turkish spice blend for meat. A classic, savory blend of chilis, garlic, cumin and allspice, it has a warm flavor and enticing aroma and is perfect for Turkish and Eastern Mediterranean dishes. Versatile and balanced, it's at home in sausage, burgers, veggies, beans and soups.![]()
Origin:Istanbul, Turkey
Size: 1.8 oz
Ingredients:Black Urfa chili, silk chili, cumin, allspice, garlic, sea salt, sunflower seed oil
- Rub on meats or vegetables before grilling or roasting
- Add to meatball or bulgur mix before cooking
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An aromatic homage to the trade winds across the Indian Ocean, our golden Swahili Coast Curry is descended from thousands of years of culinary exchange. The spices in this Origin Blend were grown in an organic agroforestry system and then dried, ground and blended by our partner cooperative.![]()
Origin:Stone Town, Zanzibar
Size: 2.1 oz
Ingredients:Cumin, coriander, garlic, turmeric, black pepper, fenugreek, fennel, ginger, cardamom
- Use as a rub for meat and vegetables for roasting
- Simmer in coconut milk for stews
- Bloom in oil or ghee to start cooking a fragrant dish
Highlights
Ein Samiya, Palestine
Zaatar, zatar, za'tar, za3tar
Dried, ground and blended
Mountain Herbs • Toasted Sesame • Tradition
Ingredients
Za'atar (Origanum syriacum), toasted sesame seeds, sumac, salt
Cooking tips
- Mix with olive oil as a dip for bread or rub for vegetables or protein
- Use as a rub for baked chicken or eggs
- Roast vegetables and potatoes, then top with tahini and za'atar
SOURCING
Our za'atar was cultivated by a family in the hills outside of Ramallah using artisanal and organic methods, including collecting limited rainwater to grow the za'atar plants. Like many Palestinians, they are denied access to the aquifers beneath their feet and must practice water-saving techniques to grow their traditional crops.
When the herb's fuzzy, heart-shaped leaves are ready for harvest throughout the summer, they are hand-picked by farmers who learned their craft from their parents and grandparents and cultivate the same land, rare in a place where many farming families have had their land taken away from them.
After harvest, the za'atar is dried and then ground at a local mill. Careful stone milling of the za'atar leaves before blending is essential to create the distinctive light, fluffy texture of real Palestinian za'atar. The ground leaves are precisely blended with roasted local sesame seeds and tart, purple sumac, which grow in Silwad and the eastern areas of Ramallah.
We're grateful for the partnership of Manal from Re7het Falasteen in helping set up this supply chain and coordinating the production from Palestine to the US. They also carry exceptional Palestinian foods and pantry goods, so make sure to check out their site.
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