Urfa biber facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Urfa biber |
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Flaked Urfa biber
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| Genus | Capsicum |
| Species | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Urfa, Turkey |
| Heat |  Medium |
| Scoville scale | 7,500 SHU |
Urfa biber (also called isot pepper) is a special type of chili pepper that grows in the Urfa region of Turkey. It's known for its unique taste, which many people describe as smoky and a bit like raisins.
Even though it's a red pepper, Urfa biber turns a dark maroon color when it's fully grown on the plant. These peppers go through a cool two-step drying process. During the day, they are left out in the sun to dry. But at night, they are wrapped up tightly. This night-time step is called 'sweating'. It helps the dried pepper soak up any moisture left inside, making it even more flavorful.
After this process, Urfa biber looks deep purple or even a dark purplish-black. It's not as super spicy as some other chili peppers. Instead, it gives a heat that builds up slowly and lasts longer.
How Spicy Is Urfa Biber?
The spiciness of Urfa biber is measured on something called the Scoville scale. Urfa biber has a rating of 7,500 SHU (Scoville Heat Units). To give you an idea, a bell pepper has 0 SHU, and a jalapeño can be around 2,000 to 8,000 SHU. So, Urfa biber is medium spicy!
Cooking with Urfa Biber
In Turkey, Urfa biber is a popular spice. People traditionally use it in many meat dishes and other savory foods. It adds a deep, rich flavor that makes meals extra tasty.
Where Does the Name "Isot" Come From?
The name isot comes from the Turkish words issi ot. This phrase means "hot weed" or "hot herb". People have used this term in Turkey since the late 1400s to describe peppers. It shows how long this special spice has been a part of Turkish cooking!
