Za’atar

Za’atar is not just a flavoring but a nourishing paste, mixed with olive oil and spread on man’oushé flat breads or pita. It is traditionally eaten for breakfast in Lebanon, and people believe that it gives strength and clears the mind. The za’atar spice blend derives its aroma from a particular kind of thyme indigenous to Syria and Lebanon, the variety of which is known simply as za’atar in Arabic and zahter in Turkish (see the