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Small Batch, Grand Flavor • Est. 1995

Spice 101

Summary

Urfa biber, a captivating spice from Turkey, is renowned for its luscious, smoky flavor with subtle hints of chocolate and tobacco. This unique pepper flake carries a mild heat, making it a versatile addition to both sweet and savory dishes. Its complex flavor profile is developed through a traditional process where the peppers are sun-dried by day and wrapped to sweat at night, enhancing their depth of flavor before being processed with olive oil and salt for a smooth texture and flavorful punch.

History

Urfa biber, also known as Isot pepper, originates from the town of Urfa in southeastern Turkey. This region's unique climate contributes to the distinctive qualities of the pepper. Historically, Urfa biber has been a staple in Turkish cuisine, used to add depth and smokiness to meats, stews, and even desserts. The traditional method of curing the peppers—sun-drying by day and sweating in covered bags at night—dates back centuries, a technique designed to intensify the pepper's natural flavors and preserve its rich color and aroma.

Why We Love It

We love Urfa biber for its ability to add a mysterious, smoky twist to our dishes. Its mild heat level coupled with the unexpected notes of chocolate and tobacco makes it a favorite. Whether we're sprinkling it on roasted vegetables, stirring into rich chocolate brownies, or rubbing onto grilled meats, Urfa biber never fails to impress with its deep, complex flavors.

The More You Know

Did you know that Urfa biber is often referred to as the 'nighttime pepper' due to its unique curing process under the cover of darkness? This not only enhances its flavor but also its mystique, making it a spice that's as intriguing as it is delicious. Try it in your next chocolate dessert and watch the magic unfold!

Recipes

    Spice Cream

    Spice Cream

    February 4th is National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. If you're not making your ice cream into SPICE cream, you're definitely missing out. Here are some of our favorite (and unexpected!) flavor combos for you to try at home.With Vanilla: Madras Curry may surprise you as a pairing for ice cream (it surprised us too!) but once you taste it, it's impossible to deny. The bright pop of ginger and warm hint of cinnamon make it an ideal topping for vanilla. The two flavors combined will leave you with a slight hint of citrus on your tongue. Hojicha is a roasted green tea finely milled that brings a smooth, earthy, and nutty flavor to your bowl of vanilla. It's the perfect way to start the day! Cinnamon Toast Spice is such an obvious winner on vanilla ice cream, you're probably wondering why you hadn't thought of it yourself! The warm flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar pair well with your ice cream while evoking all the flavors of your favorite breakfast. With Chocolate: Kashmiri Garam Masala is deep and dark roasted with warm spices like cinnamon. Cloves make this blend intensely flavorful. Mouth wateringly aromatic, our Garam Masala brings out the best in chocolate. Alderwood Smoked Salt has an incredible amount of flavor in a single ingredient! Salty with a hint of campfire, this topping balances the richness in the chocolate. Urfa Biber is truly a unicorn of a chile. Naturally earthy with hints of tobacco, it will give you a mellow kick of heat that instantly gets cooled by the ice cream.

    Flour Tortillas

    Flour Tortillas

    It's no secret that flour tortillas are champions of versatility! You can top them with anything, fill them with anything, and they work great for snacks or for meals. What's less well known, however, is that they're also incredibly easy to make! Really! And nothing beats a fresh, warm tortilla.When making tortillas at home, use the opportunity to be creative! By using different spices or flours, you can inject a little flair into your recipe, and make your tortillas truly unique! In this recipe, we use Saffron and Butterfly Pea Flower to give our tortillas unique and distinctive colors. You can substitute a portion of the all-purpose flour for other flours, too, for more flavor and texture variety.Recipes such as this one traditionally use lard, but we've found that vegetable oil makes a perfectly suitable substitution. It's easy to double or triple this recipe, and they'll keep in your refrigerator in an airtight container for a couple of weeks. Homemade tortillas are best when fresh, though, and we don't think you'll have any problem finding ways to use them!

    Harissa Spiced Carrots

    Harissa Spiced Carrots

    Stunning flavor and presentation makes these Harissa spiced carrots a perfect side dish for holiday entertaining. If you're looking for fresh flavor on the holiday table, this is a dish that will have your guests clamoring for more. Harissa is a traditional African spice blend that is robust, with hints of chile and citrus. These flavors pair easily with the sweet fruitiness of the carrots, the smokiness of the Urfa Biber and the snap of the pomegranate seeds.

View more recipes for Urfa Biber

Notes

Type
Single Ingredient
Flavor Notes
Heat • Sweet • Smoky
Region
Mediterranean
Heat Level
Red Chile Red Chile Gray Chile Gray Chile Gray Chile
Botanical Name
Capsicum annum
Established 1995
Small Batch
Filler-Free
Vegan
Gluten-Free
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Urfa Biber