Ground Za'atar

Ground za'atar, known in Lebanon as zaatar mathoun, is the dried leaf of the za'atar herb milled into a fine, fragrant powder. It is a staple of Lebanese home cooking. Many families mix it with sumac, toasted sesame and salt to prepare the familiar za'atar blend, then stir it with olive oil for dipping bread or spreading on manakish. It is also sprinkled over labneh, eggs, salads and roasted vegetables, and some people steep it in hot water as a simple herbal infusion. At Dekenet Al Nes in Baaqline, in the Chouf, ground za'atar is sold by the kilo from bulk supply. As a package-free shop, we encourage customers to bring their own jars or bags and refill only the amount they need, cutting down on plastic and single-use packaging.