za’atar is a leafy green herb that looks very much like oregano when the plant first begins to grow; its fuzzy, spear-shaped leaves growing in clustered pairs along woody stems. as the plant grows and the stems develop, the leaves grow longer and thinner, more blade-like. za’atar can grow up to three feet tall and develops spiked clusters at the top of its stems that bloom with pinkish-purple flowers. za’atar is fragrant, and has an aroma similar to oregano. the primary compound in za’atar leaves is carvacrol, which is the main component in oil of oregano. the taste is mild, but it also has a bit of spice.