# Urfa Biber

Also known as Urfa pepper, Isot pepper, Isot biber, Urfa isot pepper.
Species: Capsicum annuum.

Urfa Biber is a Capsicum annuum cultivar from Şanlıurfa Province, Turkey. Capsi’s sourced range is 6,000–50,000 SHU (Vendor Claim). Flavor is smoky, earthy, chocolate, raisin, tobacco. Used for seasoning for red meats, kebabs, and grilled dishes, roasted vegetables and eggplant, stews, soups, and braised meats, traditional Turkish dishes like lahmacun and çiğ köfte, spice rubs and Middle Eastern recipes. Heat is a range, not a single marketing number.

## Heat sources

- 30,000–50,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Specialty Produce - Urfa Biber Chile Peppers
  https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/Urfa_Biber_Chile_Peppers_12784.php

- 7,500 SHU · Vendor Claim
  The Spice House - Urfa Biber
  https://www.thespicehouse.com/products/urfa-biber

- 6,000–8,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Spices Inc - Urfa Biber
  https://spicesinc.com/urfa-biber

- 30,000–50,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  PepperScale - Urfa Biber (Isot Pepper) Guide
  https://pepperscale.com/urfa-biber/

## Heritage

We don't have a documented family for this pepper yet.

## Page sources

- [PepperScale Urfa Biber guide with Scoville, flavor, and uses](https://pepperscale.com/urfa-biber/)
- [Wikipedia entry on taxonomy, origin, processing, and culinary use](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urfa_biber)
- [The Spruce Eats article on flavor, uses, origin, and preparation](https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-urfa-biber-4776957)
- [SpecialtyProduce detailed fresh pod appearance, nutrition notes, processing](https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/Urfa_Biber_Chile_Peppers_12784.php)
- [Slow Food Ark of Taste entry on Isot pepper history, cultivation, cultural significance](https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/isot-pepper/)

## FAQ
### How hot is Urfa Biber?

Capsi’s sourced range is 6,000–50,000 SHU (Vendor Claim). Capsi uses a sourced range and a trust tier, not a single marketing number. How we verify heat: https://web.thecapsi.app/learn/heat-and-capsaicin/how-we-measure-heat

### What does Urfa Biber taste like?

Complex earthy and smoky profile with notes of chocolate, tobacco, raisin, and coffee, plus subtle sweetness, saltiness, and tanginess from tannins; the sun-drying and sweating process creates depth without actual smoking.

### How do I grow Urfa Biber?

Urfa Biber: about 90 days to maturity, semi-arid hot climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.

### What can I substitute for Urfa Biber?

Aleppo pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, chipotle flakes (for smokiness)

Page: https://web.thecapsi.app/pepper/urfa-biber
Catalog: https://web.thecapsi.app/data