Our Za’atar, the Love Story Behind the Blend & Mississippi Ave Street Fair—Here We Come 💚

There’s something special about opening a fresh bag of za’atar.

The scent arrives first—earthy wild thyme, tangy sumac, toasted sesame. For many Palestinians, it’s the smell of childhood breakfasts, family kitchens, olive harvests, and mornings that begin with fresh bread dipped in olive oil.

But our za’atar isn’t just a seasoning. It’s a love story.

Learn more about this incredible herb seasoning here

Interview with Morgan Totah: Za’atar, Resistance & Roots 

Here follows a recent interview with our founder, Morgan Totah, on the Power of Buycotting. 

Interviewer: Everyone loves your za’atar—but many people don’t know the story behind it. Where does it come from?

Morgan Totah: Every bag starts with one family. Our za’atar comes from a small village near Ramallah, where one remarkable woman grows, harvests, dries and hand-blends every batch herself.

She doesn’t buy herbs from wholesalers. She walks the land. She knows every season, every rainfall, every harvest.

The recipe itself has been passed through generations—wild thyme, fragrant sumac, toasted sesame and just the right amount of salt. It’s the taste of Palestine.

Interviewer: You often describe it as a love story. Why?

Morgan Totah: Because it really is.

When her husband lost the ability to work, everything changed. Instead of giving up, they turned to what they knew best—the land.

Together they built their livelihood around traditional Palestinian foods. She harvests za’atar, dries figs, prepares preserves and keeps family recipes alive. Their work allows them to remain rooted on land their family has cared for for generations.

Every harvest is an act of resilience. Every bag carries years of dedication, care and hope.

Interviewer: Yet that work hasn’t always been easy.

Morgan Totah: Sadly, no.

Their land has faced repeated threats. During one harvest, settlers entered their fields. Her husband was violently attacked and later required multiple surgeries. The family’s harvest was stolen.

Moments like these remind us that preserving Palestinian food traditions isn’t simply about recipes. It’s about protecting livelihoods, culture and the right to remain connected to ancestral land.

More Than a Blend

Za’atar has always been about more than ingredients.

It’s breakfast before school. It’s grandparents dipping warm bread into olive oil. It’s gathering around the table. It’s the smell that instantly tells Palestinians they’re home.

Food carries memory. When traditional foods disappear, cultures lose part of their story.

Every purchase helps families continue growing, harvesting and passing these traditions to future generations. That’s why supporting Palestinian artisans isn’t charity. It’s solidarity.

The Power of Buycotting

People often ask what they can do. One answer is simple: Choose where your money goes.

Many people know about boycotting companies that contribute to injustice. We also believe in buycotting—intentionally supporting ethical producers and artisans whose work preserves communities and traditions.

Every purchase is a vote for the kind of world we want. When you choose Handmade Palestine, you’re helping Palestinian makers earn a fair income, remain on their land, and continue traditions that have been nurtured for generations.

Come See Us at Mississippi Ave Street Fair! 🎉

If you’re in Portland this Saturday, come and say hello! We’ll have: 

• 🧺 Handmade artisan crafts
• ❤️ Stories behind every maker and every product

We’d love to meet you and tell more about the incredible families behind everything we sell. 

See you at Mississippi Ave Street Fair! 🇵🇸💚