Urfa Cherry Pepper (Sanliurfa kiraz biber)

Şanlıurfa kiraz biber (Urfa cherry pepper), also known as Isot Pepper, is a beautiful deep garnet pepper from Turkey. It has mild to moderate heat and thick flesh. Traditionally the pepper is processed in a special way that includes being sun-dried during the day and wrapped and “sweated” at night, resulting in a nearly sticky dried pepper that features a deep raisin-like flavor. I purchased some of this spice, ready-made, and it was excellent. I will need to try the processing myself with my own peppers.