Sheikh Alattarin Bay Leaves: The Quiet Leaf Behind Every Good Broth and Rice What are bay leaves? Bay leaf, or laurel ( Laurus nobilis , family Lauraceae), is the dried leaf of the evergreen bay laurel tree that grows along the Mediterranean coasts. In Egypt it is called waraq... Dried herbs Single spices & herbs Oct 18, 2026
Sheikh Alattarin Sage: The Herb of Wisdom from the Balkans to Levantine Tea What is sage? Sage ( Salvia officinalis , family Lamiaceae) is a perennial herb with velvety grey leaves; the part used is the dried leaf. In Egypt and the Levant it is called maramiya or mairamiya , ... Dried herbs Single spices & herbs Oct 18, 2026
Sheikh Alattarin Rosemary: The Herb of Remembrance and the Mediterranean Grill What is rosemary? Rosemary ( Salvia rosmarinus , formerly Rosmarinus officinalis , family Lamiaceae) is an evergreen aromatic shrub native to the Mediterranean coasts; the part used is the dried needl... Dried herbs Single spices & herbs Oct 18, 2026
Sheikh Alattarin Thyme: From Mediterranean Hills to the Arab Breakfast Table What is thyme? Common thyme ( Thymus vulgaris , family Lamiaceae) is a dwarf evergreen aromatic shrub; the parts used are its tiny dried leaves and flowering tops. It is called za'atar across Egypt, t... Dried herbs Single spices & herbs Oct 18, 2026
Sheikh Alattarin Licorice Root: Nature's Sweet Root from Ramadan Drink to Kitchen What is licorice root? Licorice, or liquorice ( Glycyrrhiza glabra , family Fabaceae), is the dried root of a perennial legume that thrives in sandy alluvial soils around the Mediterranean and across ... Roots & rhizomes Single spices & herbs Oct 18, 2026
Sheikh Alattarin Galangal: Types, Quality and Uses in Cooking and Herbalism What is galangal? Galangal is the rhizome of plants of the genus Alpinia in the ginger family (Zingiberaceae); the two commercial species are Alpinia galanga (greater or Thai galangal) and Alpinia off... Roots & rhizomes Single spices & herbs Oct 18, 2026
Sheikh Alattarin Sesame: White, Black and Roasted Seeds and Quality Standards What is sesame? Sesame is the seed of Sesamum indicum (Pedaliaceae), one of the oldest oilseed crops known; the ancient Egyptians grew it, and in Babylon and Assyria it was the principal source of oil... Single spices & herbs Spice seeds Oct 18, 2026
Sheikh Alattarin Asafoetida (Hing): Types, Quality and Uses in Cooking and Herbalism What is asafoetida? Asafoetida is the dried oleo-gum-resin tapped from the roots of several Ferula species, chiefly Ferula assa-foetida , giant perennials of the parsley family (Apiaceae) growing wild... Single spices & herbs Spices Oct 18, 2026
Sheikh Alattarin Mahlab: The Secret Aroma of Ka'ak, Ma'amoul and Kleicha What is mahlab? Mahlab is the kernel inside the stone of the fruit of Prunus mahaleb , a small wild cherry of the rose family (Rosaceae) that grows in Turkey, the Levant, Greece and Iran. The part use... Single spices & herbs Spice seeds Oct 18, 2026
Sheikh Alattarin Poppy Seeds: Blue, White and Black, Quality and Safety Standards What are poppy seeds? Poppy seeds are the seeds of Papaver somniferum , a member of the poppy family (Papaveraceae). They are tiny kidney-shaped seeds under 1 mm long, thousands to a capsule; only the... Single spices & herbs Spice seeds Oct 18, 2026
Sheikh Alattarin Caraway: Finnish, Dutch and Egyptian Origins and Quality Grades What is caraway? Caraway is the fruit of Carum carvi , of the parsley family (Apiaceae) alongside cumin, fennel and aniseed. What we call seeds are dry, crescent-shaped, ridged, dark-brown fruits 3–6 ... Single spices & herbs Spice seeds Oct 18, 2026
Sheikh Alattarin Mustard Seeds: Yellow, Brown and Black Compared What is mustard? Mustard is the collective name for the seeds of three plants in the cabbage family (Brassicaceae): Sinapis alba (white or yellow mustard), Brassica juncea (brown or Indian mustard) an... Single spices & herbs Spice seeds Oct 18, 2026
