Thyme is one of the most prominent aromatic and medicinal plants associated with the Jordanian environment, forming an integral part of the country’s cultural and social heritage. It is a staple on breakfast tables, often mixed with olive oil, and is used in the preparation of manakish, pastries, and many other foods that reflect Jordan’s local identity.
Thyme has become an important economic pillar and a growing source of income for many families, driven by increasing demand for natural and healthy products both locally and internationally. Jordanian thyme is particularly renowned for its high quality and distinctive flavor, attributed to the nature of the soil and the moderate climate. It is also popular in many markets around the world, particularly in the Gulf.
Dalal Qardan, president of the Rural Pioneers Association, describes thyme as a “green treasure” and the “master of the Jordanian breakfast table,” as it represents an extension of a heritage deeply rooted in Jordan’s food culture. Its prices are also affordable, while its production is relatively simple. Many families produce thyme at home, and numerous women rely on preparing and selling it as a source of income for themselves and their families.
Jordanian thyme as an essential pantry item (Annahar)
Qardan tells “Annahar” that thyme is a fundamental part of the association’s work, alongside various activities aimed at empowering women across different sectors. At the same time, she notes that thyme has an exceptional significance because of its connection to identity and the land. It is used in preparing manakish, seasoning meat, and adding a distinctive flavor to salads and some traditional dishes. School students’ bags, she adds, rarely lack a thyme sandwich on an almost daily basis.
Meanwhile, agricultural expert and farmer Issa Al-Eyasreh tells “Annahar” that thyme cultivation has expanded in Jordan in recent years due to its high economic feasibility, lower water requirements compared with other crops, and ability to adapt to local climate conditions. The growing demand for thyme in local and international markets has also made it a suitable option for farmers.
He explains that thyme represents an integrated production chain that begins with cultivation and crop care and continues through harvesting, drying, threshing, grinding, mixing with sumac and sesame, and finally packaging and marketing. These stages create employment opportunities, particularly for producing families and women working in home-based food industries and rural projects.
He points out that the importance of thyme extends beyond its culinary uses to the food and herbal industries and some care products, thanks to its aromatic oils and extracts, further strengthening its position as a promising economic plant.
President of the Rural Pioneers Association, Dalal Qardan (Annahar)
Al-Ayasrah asserts that the success of thyme cultivation depends on selecting the appropriate soil and seedlings, adhering to irrigation, fertilization, and agricultural pest-control programs, and harvesting at the right time to maintain the quality of the leaves and aromatic oils.
He explains that processing involves several stages, including healthy picking, drying, grinding, mixing with natural ingredients according to quality standards, and then packaging the product in airtight packages to preserve its quality and extend its shelf life.
Al-Ayasrah emphasizes the importance of expanding thyme cultivation and encouraging the processing and marketing of its products, as this contributes to supporting farmers’ incomes, empowering producing families, enhancing food security, and preserving Jordanian heritage. He also highlights the importance of thyme as a traditional food with high nutritional value and as a national product whose consumption supports the local agricultural economy.
This special Annahar dossier explores “Mouneh” across Lebanon and the Arab world, where preserving food means preserving memory, identity, and heritage. From Lebanese Mouneh and Zhourat to Tunisian couscous, regional thyme traditions, Palestinian provisions, and UAE dates, the dossier traces how these traditions endure, evolve, and face the pressures of modern life, war, and changing economies. Read more about the dossier:
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