Za'atar is a culinary herb or family of herbs. It is also the name of a spice mixture that includes the herb along with toasted sesame seeds, dried sumac, often salt, as well as other spices. As a family of related Middle Eastern herbs, it contains plants from the genera oregano, basil thyme, thyme, and savory plants. Used in Levantine cuisine, both the herb and spice mixture are popular throughout the Mediterranean region of the Middle East.