Turkish Isot Pepper

The spice gets its name from the region in turkey it s grown in urfa and the turkish word for pepper biber.

Turkish isot pepper. Urfa refers to the region where the pepper is grown and biber means pepper in turkish. Urfa biber also known as isot pepper is a crushed dried chili pepper. This singular black chile is surprising for its gentle heat fruity taste and its chocolate undertones. A cross border cousin to aleppo pepper this pepper mild in heat and redolent of raisin chocolate and smoked ripens to a dark maroon color on the plant.

Isot begins as a red sweet pepper with mild heat which is later dried partially in the sun. Urfa biber also known as isot pepper is a dried turkish chili pepper of the type capsicum annuum cultivated in the urfa region of turkey. Known also by its kurdish name isot biber is turkish for pepper while urfa is a province in turkey s southeast. Urfa biber also called urfa pepper or isot pepper is a salty spicy deep maroon turkish chile pepper sold in flakes.

Ingredients 2 pounds ground beef 80 lean 1 pound tomatoes diced 1 sweet onion finely diced 1 bunch parsley chopped 1 bunch dill chopped 8 ounces feta cheese crumbled 1 2 cup rice 4 teaspoons salt 1 tablespoon dried mint 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon pul biber turkish hot pepper optional 1. Great with sautéed eggplant and tomato dishes it is also fantastic with lamb and kebabs. Cultivated by turkish kurds the isot kurdish black pepper is prepared in a time honored method. What is isot pepper.

This dried turkish chile is from the species capsicum annuum and is also known as isot pepper. Technically a red chile pepper urfa biber matures to a bright red when it is then harvested and cured or dried for a week. The isot pepper is grown in the şanlıurfa region in the south east of turkey and as such you may find it called urfa biber at some stores. Urfa biber is technically a red chili pepper ripening to a dark maroon on the plant.

It s typically described as having chocolate raisin and coffee flavors smoky sour and sweet all in one. It is often described as having a smoky raisin like taste. Makes a wonderful garnish and is eye catching when sprinkled on food.