The Spice Way - Real Zaatar with Hyssop spice blend | 2 oz | (No Thyme that is used as an hyssop substitute). With sumac. No Additives, No Perservatives, (Za'atar/zatar/zahtar/zahatar/za atar)

This was my first ever za'atar purchase and I did not know what to expect. I was looking for something truly authentic, and after reading that thyme is often used as a substitute for hyssop in za'atar blends, I searched until I found this item sold by The Spice Way, who makes it clear they only use hyssop in their za'atar. The container was smaller than I anticipated, a nearly flat foil pouch with a zipper seal, but for my cooking purposes this is actually beneficial since I won't use large quantities, and a larger quantity might lose freshness and flavor. Not knowing what to expect and having nothing in my experience with which to compare this za'atar, impressions upon savoring a small pinch were - an extremely fresh herb taste, pungent, strong, and slightly bitter, which I believe is owing to the hyssop. People experience bitter taste differently and I may be especially sensitive to it, but it was in no way off-putting. The sesame seed was the last flavor I was able to identify; I've never had anything quite like it! Very fresh and flavorful, not a dry, powdery spice, different from anything I have in my spice cabinet. I'm going to try it in my olive oil and lemon kebab marinade, and stop with all the oregano and thyme I've been adding all these years :) Very pleased with this purchase.

I have the dishes I make. They can be bland and boring sometimes. I bought this on a whim and have started using it to add a distinct flavor profile that my family and friends really love. I use it on grilled meats, roasted potatoes, in soups and black beans, blended with labneh or sour cream it becomes a dip. Mixed with pan drippings it becomes an elegant sauce. Blended with butter and slathered on shrimp as it is grilled is sublime. I think it'd make a bloody mary taste really great. I find myself opening the little pouch just to get a whiff of it. It's very fresh and has lasted a long time already. Will order again from this company soon.

I had never heard of this spice blend until I went to make a recipe from one of my favorite cookbooks, Mighty Salads by Food52. The dish was "Roasted chickpea salad with Za'atar." None of my local stores had the spice. I thought about trying to make the blencd myself, but none of the stores had hyssop or sumac which were key ingredients. I was pleased to find Za'atar from The Spice Way on Amazon. I came in 2 days through Prime. As soon as I opened the package, I was entranced by the aroma. The salad included chickpeas, red cabbage and fennel and the Za'atar added a depth and richness that is hard to describe. My husband loved it! I can wait to explore other recipes with it.

Very fresh and flavorful. Reminds me of za'atar pizza on pita bread I used to enjoy from a Lebanese bakery in my former hometown. Nice robust flavor and I love the idea of sumac and hyssop used instead of thyme. However, I would like just a little bit more salt to enhance the flavor even more, but I adjust that myself. Product was very fresh and came very quickly.

Years ago on a trip to Egypt and the Holy Land, I tasted a spice blend that was served with bread by street vendors. Delicious. I kept some of it in a baggie and carried it home. Obviously sitting there for years it wasn't going to beas fresh as what I got when I was there, but I kept it as a reference. It took me years to figure out that it was probably za'atar. When za'atar started becoming more common, I tried some foods with it, like chips. Horrible, so bitter, not at all like I had tasted before. Then I came across the Spice Way zaatar with hyssop and gave it a shot. So good! I think what I had tasted elsewhere had thyme as a substitute, but this doesn't have thyme. I love thyme, but it's definitely not a good substitute for the hyssop. So far this is the best blend I have found. It lacks a slight sweetness that the blend in Israel had, but that may have been someone's personal recipe which I will never be able to replicate. In any case, this is delicious. I just made some flax crackers with this blend and they are amazing. Love this stuff.

Works as expected.

I heard about Real Zaatar from a tv program. Found the best hummus recipe that uses it.

I hadn't heard of za'atar prior to seeing it listed as an ingredient in a recipe I wanted to try.After a brief search to learn the basics ingredients in za'atar, I phoned my local markets to locate it. The only store to carry it in my area is the one always referenced as pricing goods so high, they'll cost one's whole paycheck.I picked up a package of that store's house brand za'atar seasoning, but was dismayed the blend did not include sumac. I used it in my recipe, and loved the dish and the seasoning so much I finished the package of za'atar in a couple of weeks.Now out of za'atar, I began a search for "real" za'atar seasoning blend which included sumac. I found The Spice Way Real Zaatar, and placed an order. I had an opportunity to try it in another dish a couple of weeks after receipt.Unfortunately, both my daughter and I preferred the flavor of the original, "inauthentic" za'atar I had purchased previously.That being said, after our experience, I did further research into za'atar. I learned the spices included in the blend differ by region/ethnicity.My daughter and I just happen to prefer a different blend of herbs/spices than those included in The Spice Way Zaatar.I struggled with rating The Spice Way Zaatar, because while it's a good blend, it's just not to our taste. Insofar as its authenticity, that depends upon the region from which the dish you're cooking originates.Because the flavor of the different blends available can vary considerably, if you can, try several different blends/brands and use the one you like the best. If you try one and don't like it, don't assume all za'atar blends are the same and you won't like any of them.Certainly, give The Spice Way Zaatar a try; it may be just what you're looking for!