Urfa pepper, also known as Urfa biber, is a smoky, dried Turkish chili pepper from the Şanlıurfa region of Turkey. It is known for its dark color, mild to moderate heat, and complex flavor with notes of raisin, chocolate, and coffee.

How do you use Urfa pepper?

Urfa pepper can be used as both a cooking spice and a finishing spice. It works well on grilled meats, roasted vegetables, eggs, yogurt, salads, hummus, soups, and stews. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste.

Is Urfa pepper smoky?

Yes. Urfa pepper is known for its natural smokiness, which develops during a traditional drying and “sweating” process that deepens its flavor and darkens its color.

What Is Urfa Pepper? Taste, Heat Level & How to Use It

Urfa pepper used in a cozy home cooking setting

Taste, Heat Level, Origins & How to Use Urfa Biber

If you enjoy chili peppers but don’t want overwhelming heat, Urfa pepper might become your new favorite spice.

Also known as Urfa biber (and sometimes called isot), Urfa pepper is a smoky, dried Turkish chili pepper known for its deep, dark color, gentle heat, and complex flavor notes that hint at raisin, chocolate, tobacco, and coffee.

Unlike sharp or aggressive chili flakes, Urfa pepper delivers a slow-building warmth that enhances food without overpowering it — which is why chefs and home cooks alike use it as both a cooking spice and a finishing touch.

Urfa pepper flakes showing dark smoky texture and mild Turkish chili appearance — Urfa pepper flakes are known for their dark color, smoky aroma, and gentle heat.

🌍 Where Does Urfa Pepper Come From?

Urfa pepper originates from the Şanlıurfa region of southeastern Turkey, an area with a long history of spice cultivation and sun-dried peppers.

What makes Urfa pepper unique isn’t just the chili itself — it’s the traditional drying process.

After being sun-dried during the day, the peppers are wrapped overnight, allowing them to “sweat.”
This process deepens the color from dark red to nearly black and develops the signature smoky, earthy, slightly sweet flavor Urfa pepper is known for.

Close-up texture of Urfa pepper flakes with dark smoky and slightly oily appearance — Urfa pepper flakes are cut and sifted, giving them a soft, slightly oily texture.

🌶️ How Spicy Is Urfa Pepper?

Urfa pepper is considered mild to medium heat, usually measuring around 7,000–10,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU).

That puts it:

Hotter than paprika
Similar to Aleppo pepper
Much milder than cayenne or crushed red pepper flakes

What sets Urfa pepper apart is how the heat behaves:

🔥 Slow-building
🌿 Warm, not sharp
😌 Lingering, but gentle

Many people describe it as “warming” rather than “spicy.”

👅 What Does Urfa Pepper Taste Like?

Urfa pepper has one of the most complex flavor profiles among chili peppers:

🍇 Raisin-like sweetness
🌫️ Smoky, earthy depth
🍫 Hints of dark chocolate or cocoa
☕ Subtle coffee or tobacco notes

Because of this complexity, Urfa pepper works beautifully in both savory dishes and unexpected applications like chocolate, honey, or roasted fruit.

🍳 How to Use Urfa Pepper in Cooking

Urfa pepper is extremely versatile and easy to use.

Try it:

Sprinkled over eggs, avocado toast, or yogurt
Mixed into kebabs, grilled meats, or roasted vegetables
Stirred into hummus, muhammara, or salad dressings
Used as a finishing spice on soups, stews, or lentils

👉 Tip: Start with ¼ teaspoon, then build slowly. Urfa pepper rewards patience.

Comparison of dark Urfa pepper flakes and brighter red chili flakes — Urfa pepper is darker and smokier than standard red chili flakes.

🌶️ Is Urfa Pepper the Same as Aleppo Pepper?

No — while they’re often compared, they are not the same.

Feature	Urfa Pepper	Aleppo Pepper
Color	Dark burgundy to black	Bright red
Flavor	Smoky, raisin-like, earthy	Fruity, slightly citrusy
Heat	Mild–medium, slow	Mild, immediate
Texture	Slightly oily	Dry, flaky

Both are excellent — but Urfa pepper offers deeper, darker complexity.

🧂 What Is Another Name for Urfa Pepper?

You may see Urfa pepper referred to as:

Urfa biber
Isot pepper (regional name)

However, “Urfa pepper” or “Urfa biber” is the clearest and most widely understood term, especially outside Turkey.

❓ Is Urfa Pepper a Nightshade?

Yes. Like all chili peppers, Urfa pepper comes from the Capsicum annuum family and is technically a nightshade.

Most people tolerate it well, but those with nightshade sensitivities should consume it in moderation.

Urfa Pepper Flakes Texture Close-Up — Urfa pepper is often used as a finishing spice for yogurt, eggs, vegetables, and grilled meats.

⭐ Why Cooks Love Urfa Pepper

✔ Adds depth without overpowering
✔ Enhances savory dishes with subtle sweetness
✔ Works as both a cooking spice and a finishing touch
✔ Brings restaurant-level complexity to simple meals

It’s a spice you’ll reach for again and again.

🛒 Discover Authentic Urfa Pepper

At Edi Gourmet Spice, our Urfa Pepper is carefully sourced and prepared to preserve:

Flavor
Aroma
Texture
Authentic character

👉 Explore Urfa Pepper here