In Lebanon, this mix of warm lemony flavours is used in mezzés. Add a Middle Eastern touch to your vegetables, white meat and smoked salmons, or add to your marinades!
This Lebanese mix of spices will transport you out of time and far from civilisation. Check out our hummus recipe with zathar!
Our recipe ideas for zathar:
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Method
Its acidic, aromatic and slightly savoury flavour will enchant all your white meat and poultry and its lemony warmth will enchant your fish. Use it in cooking, in marinades or simply sprinkled over your dishes just before serving. A true Middle Eastern delight!
Zathar or zaathar, is a much sought-after spice mix in Lebanon and Syria and indeed all throughout the Mediterranean.
It is made from 3 typical Middle Eastern ingredients, sesame, thyme and sumac. Every Lebanese household has a bowl of zathar and another of olive oil on hand at all times, dipping their bread in each before enjoying this tangy mix. Why not try the same for a super-easy way to accompany your pre-donner drinks.
The word “zaʿtar” literally means “thyme” in Arabic, so that’s why it’s also sometimes called “Alep thyme”. This is also the generic term for plants in the Lamiaceae family (thyme, hyssop, savory, wild thyme, oregano, marjoram, pennyroyal).
In North Africa, zaatar includes a variety of oregano (Origanum syriacum and Origanum vulgare).
It also includes hyssop in Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.
This is also the word used for the Lebanese spice mix which is widely used in Middle Eastern cuisine.
Zathar (or zaatar) is a mix of spices from Byblos in Lebanon, one of the oldest towns in the world, which was founded in 5000 B.C.. In the 3rd century B.C. this port traded cedar wood for shipbuilding, resin for mummification, wine and papyrus with Egypt.
The Phoenician city was a key economic, political and cultural hub. It was Alexander the Great who changed the Semitic name “Gebal” to “Byblos” derived from the Greek word “biblion” which means mother city of writing, because of the papyrus that was exported from Byblos. In fact, the Bible is named after Byblos.
This region is the birthplace of the three major monotheistic religions, the crossroads of humanity. Despite the tragic religious and territorial conflict which separates Jews and Muslims, in fact they have so very much in common: the language – certain words are virtually identical–food, falafels, zathar, hummus, sumac, their cooperative spirit, their explosive yet calm personalities, and chatty taxi drivers to name but a few…
Nowadays, every Lebanese household has its very own stash of zathar.
Allergen | Sésame / Sesame |
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Native country | FRANCE |
Ingredients | sumac, white SESAME, gold SESAME, thyme, salt (14%). |
Nutritional Info | VN Energie pour 100 g (energy for 100g) : 1387 kJ / 331 kcal VN Matière grasse (fat) : 22 g Dont acide gras saturés (of which saturated fat) : 3.87 g VN Glucides (carbohydrate) : 13.23 g Dont sucres (of which sugars) : 0.89 g VN Protéines (protein) : 11 g Vn Sel (salt) : 14.5 g |
TRACES EVENTUELLES D'ALLERGÈNES | céleri, sésame, moutarde, fruits à coques. |