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Urfa biber facts for kids

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Urfa biber
Flaked Isot Chili.jpg
Flaked Urfa biber
Genus Capsicum
Species Capsicum annuum
Origin Urfa, Turkey
Heat Medium
Scoville scale 7,500 SHU

Urfa biber (also known as isot pepper, /ɪˈst/) is a dried Turkish chili pepper of the type Capsicum annuum cultivated in the Urfa region of Turkey. It is often described as having a smoky, raisin-like taste. Urfa biber is technically a red (chili) pepper, ripening to a dark maroon on the plant. The peppers go through a two-part process, where they are sun-dried during the day and wrapped tightly at night. The night process is called 'sweating', and works to infuse the dried flesh with the remaining moisture of the pepper. The result is an appearance ranging from deep purple to a dark, purplish black. Urfa biber is less spicy than many other chili peppers, but provides a more lasting build of heat.

The pungency of the urfa biber is 7,500 SHU on the Scoville scale.

It is traditionally used in Turkey in meat and savoury foods.

Etymology

According to Sevan Nişanyan, the name isot evolved from issi ot, (lit. hot weed) meaning pepper in regional Turkish. The term issi ot has been attested in Turkish in multiple sources since late 15th century. In Hamit Zübeyir Koşay and İshak Işıtman [tr]'s book from 1932, Anadilden Derlemeler, this term was included as ısıot and isot.

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