Urfa Biber

Urfa Biber (also known as isot biber) has an almost sticky smell, resinous and deep like licorice or molasses, kissed with smoke. Urfa Biber has a well-rounded flavor; it’s got a smoky, earthy edge and undertones of coffee, chocolate, tobacco and raisins. Wine drinkers would say it’s got a tannic finish, fading to a herbaceous bitterness that lives under the lingering heat. The heat in Urfa Biber is present—it measures at 6,000-8,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), so it’s about as hot as a hotter-end-of-the-scale jalapeño. The Urfa Biber’s heat tends to build in the mouth, though, so while they may seem relatively moderate at the start of a meal, their intensity increases as you continue eating.

Urfa Biber Chiles are indigenous to the Mediterranean region of Sanliurfa in southeastern Turkey. Founded in the third century BCE, Sanliurfa was named Edessa by Alexander the Great, and it was so named in honor of the capital of Macedonia. The name Edessa held until 1637, under the reign of the Ottoman Turks. The name was then changed to Urfa, possibly to honor the Sumerian city-state of Ur, one of the most influential civilizations to develop in ancient Mesopotamia. The name was changed to Sanliurfa in 1984; “Sanli” means glorious, and Glorious Urfa was so named in recognition of their resistance to British and French occupying forces during the Turkish war for independence in the 1920s.

Tips From Our Kitchen

Urfa Biber chiles are traditionally used to stand up to strong flavors like lamb, so use for lamb kebabs, in lamb sausage, or as a rub over lamb chops. Use it on other powerful flavors; make a rub for venison chops, or add a spicy twist to a traditional duck confit. Use when roasting root vegetables like turnips or parsnips. It’s fun when it’s paired with savory and sweet, so add some Urfa Biber to simmer with a lamb tagine, then and top with apricots and a drizzle of Urfa oil. You could also drizzle Urfa Biber-laced oil over feta or halloumi cheese. Add to fruit chutney, or kick your brownies into the stratosphere with raisiny-smoky Urfa Biber mixed in the batter.

Our Urfa Biber chiles are processed with vegetable oil and salt.

Our Urfa Biber is grown in Turkey.

This product is certified kosher.

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