Prue's praise for Christiaan's za'atar swirls centered on one crucial detail: 'The za'atar level is delicious. It's not overpowering.' This illustrates a fundamental baking principle—potent spices should enhance, not dominate. Za'atar contains sumac (tart), wild thyme (earthy), and sesame (nutty), each powerful enough to overwhelm other flavors. Christiaan's 3 tablespoons distributed across 12 swirls created presence without aggression, allowing the nutty Gruyère and buttery lamination to shine through. When working with any assertive spice blend, taste it first, then use less than you think you need. You can always add a finishing sprinkle, but you cannot remove overpowering flavor from baked goods.