NOTE: This post was updated on 1/18/22 to include new information. It was originally published on 5/10/15.
About the Aleppo Pepper
The Aleppo Pepper bears the name of its place of origin - Aleppo, Syria. Aleppo pepper is used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, although it has become very popular around the world as an alternative to crushed red pepper flakes or paprika, due to its beautiful deep red color, rich fruity undertones and aromatic flavor. There is hardly any Mediterranean cuisine that doesn’t benefit from the spicy Aleppo pepper, along with its wonderful fragrance. The Aleppo pepper is also called the Halaby Pepper. When growing, the pods ripen to a vibrant burgundy color. It is a member of the Solanaceae or nightshade family. After they mature, the pods are plucked by its farmers where they are typically semi-dried before being de-seeded and coarsely ground or crushed. Aleppo peppers are rarely used before they are turned into powder or flakes. In Turkey, these pepper flakes are also called “pul biber”, and in Armenia, they are called “haleb biber”. Though it is now a common condiment, Aleppo pepper wasn’t used outside the borders of Syria, Armenia, as well as Turkey, until the end of the twentieth century. As the peppers age, they mature to a deep red color. You will more likely encounter the pods dried and ground into flakes in markets, however. They are more rarely found fresh. I have grown these pods in my own home garden and the plants were quite productive. Here is a shot of some fresh pods picked directly from my garden. You’ll notice the vibrant red color. The Aleppo flavor is reminiscent of the ancho chili, though a bit saltier and oilier, with a fruity raisin-like flavor. The ground Aleppo pepper is a great substitute to ground paprika or red pepper. Imagine using the Aleppo pepper in your delicacies; there is a great chance that you will swear off using ground red pepper. Its taste profile is out of this world and will leave you begging for more. It is perfect for chili, pizza, sauces, pasta, any grilled meats (think kebabs) or roasted chicken, or anywhere you may normally use paprika, if you like the extra heat. However, it is not as hot as conventional crushed red chili pepper, because it is de-seeded and hotter innards removed before it is crushed. Aleppo is also great as a colorful and tasty topping for potatoes, chicken, and even deviled eggs. It is essential in dishes like muhammara, a roasted red pepper dip, or menemen, Turkish style scrambled eggs with peppers. Looking to Buy Aleppo Pepper? Find Aleppo Pepper Products here (affiliate link, my friends). You can sometimes find Aleppo red chile flakes in grocery stores, though you may need to order it online. Or, grow them yourself and grind them into a powder with a food processor or food mill. Learn more about dehydrating peppers, or dehydrating peppers to make chili powders.
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