Aleppo Chile Pepper

Aleppo peppers have a fruity, raisin-like flavor with an undertone of earthy cumin and lemony top notes. Its aroma is deeply enticing, reminiscent of sun-dried tomatoes. Aleppo Pepper, also known as the halaby pepper, is a variety of capsicum annuum that has an ideally balanced heat and flavor profile. At 2,500-5,000 SHU (Scoville Heat Units), the Aleppo Chile Pepper has a medium-range heat that builds slowly; it hits the back of the throat first but dissipates quickly, leaving a lilting play of sour and sweet behind.

The Aleppo Chile is native to the region around the city of Aleppo in northern Syria. It did not originate in Aleppo but once traders brought this pepper's ancestors over from the New World and across northern Africa, it quickly took root in the fields and the hearts of the Syrian people. The pepper fields of Syria have been destroyed in their decade-long civil war. Our Aleppo Chile Peppers are grown from seeds taken from Aleppo, and carried across the border to be transplanted in Turkey. Despite the supply chain difficulties, many chileheads consider Aleppo pepper to be one of the wonders of the chile world and a flavorful departure from the more common crushed red pepper flakes.

Tips From Our Kitchen

Aleppo Pepper is at home in both savory and sweet dishes and works well with cinnamon, coriander, cumin and oregano. Use Aleppo pepper in Mediterranean or Middle Eastern dishes such as baba ghanoush, hummus and kebabs; it also pairs well with eggs, pasta, baked winter squash or any tomato-based recipe. Aleppo is an excellent chile pepper for the baker and partners extraordinarily well with cinnamon. Its acidity and heat balances perfectly with chocolate and sugar, so make it a star in brownies or hot chocolate, or toss with cocoa, sugar, and some salt and black pepper for some pretty amazing popcorn.

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