The Turkish variety of the Aleppo pepper, our summery, mildly spicy Silk Chili was historically ground using heavy silk ropes, giving them a smooth, slippery texture. They have a warm, tomato-like flavor and a medium heat, similar to Espelette and Korean chilis. Also called marash pepper, these are great in any dish in need of a little excitement, from scrambled eggs to burgers to brownies. Our Silk Chili Flakes are naturally preserved with a little bit of salt and sunflower seed oil to keep them fresh and flavorful. Perfect for cooking or finishing.
Silk Chili is botanically identical to the Aleppo pepper, which has been cultivated in Syria for centuries. Due to the ongoing violence of the Syrian civil war, true Aleppo chili is unfortunately no longer available for import.
Highlights
Chili Comparison Guide
Explore origins, tasting notes and heat levels
Spice | Heat level | Description | Tasting notes |
---|---|---|---|
Mild |
Origin:
Urfa, Turkey Deeply savory and not-so-spicy with cocoa and dried fruit notes.
Deeply savory and not-so-spicy with cocoa and dried fruit notes.
Origin:
Urfa, Turkey
Tasting Notes:
Raisin • Espresso • Summer Night
Heat Level: Mild
|
Raisin • Espresso • Summer Night |
|
Mild |
Origin:
Kahramanmaras, Turkey Summery, mildly spicy, versatile Aleppo-variety pepper flakes.
Summery, mildly spicy, versatile Aleppo-variety pepper flakes.
Origin:
Kahramanmaras, Turkey
Tasting Notes:
Roasted Tomato • Honey • Mediterranean Sun
Heat Level: Mild
|
Roasted Tomato • Honey • Mediterranean Sun |
|
Hot |
Origin:
Cobán, Guatemala A rare Maya variety of chili with a fierce, smoky heat and a lush, fruity aroma.
A rare Maya variety of chili with a fierce, smoky heat and a lush, fruity aroma.
Origin:
Cobán, Guatemala
Tasting Notes:
Papaya • Roasted Corn • Fire
Heat Level: Hot
|
Papaya • Roasted Corn • Fire |
|
Hot |
Origin:
Fire Tongue Farms, California Classic cayenne powder, plenty hot with a sweet backbone.
Classic cayenne powder, plenty hot with a sweet backbone.
Origin:
Fire Tongue Farms, California
Tasting Notes:
Fresh Peach • Burnt Hay • Flambé
Heat Level: Hot
|
Fresh Peach • Burnt Hay • Flambé |
|
Medium |
Origin:
Jersey City, NJ, USA The ideal garnish for perfect pizza, smoky, spicy and sweet.
The ideal garnish for perfect pizza, smoky, spicy and sweet.
Origin:
Jersey City, NJ, USA
Tasting Notes:
Sweet Heat • Brick Oven • Perfect Pie
Heat Level: Medium
|
Sweet Heat • Brick Oven • Perfect Pie |
|
Medium |
Origin:
Santa Cruz, California Vine-ripened and smoked over fruit tree branches, hot and smoky.
Vine-ripened and smoked over fruit tree branches, hot and smoky.
Origin:
Santa Cruz, California
Tasting Notes:
Campfire • Roasted Tomato • Hot & Sweet
Heat Level: Medium
|
Campfire • Roasted Tomato • Hot & Sweet |
|
Medium |
Origin:
Santa Cruz, California Vine-ripened chilis, spicy and sweet, intensely fresh.
Vine-ripened chilis, spicy and sweet, intensely fresh.
Origin:
Santa Cruz, California
Tasting Notes:
Summer Tomato • Sugar Cane • High Burn
Heat Level: Medium
|
Summer Tomato • Sugar Cane • High Burn |
|
No heat |
Origin:
Norwich Meadows Farm, NY, USA Sweet pepper flakes bursting with a creamy, mild, summery flavor.
Sweet pepper flakes bursting with a creamy, mild, summery flavor.
Origin:
Norwich Meadows Farm, NY, USA
Tasting Notes:
Cherry • Sun-Dried Tomato • Summer Bounty
Heat Level: No heat
|
Cherry • Sun-Dried Tomato • Summer Bounty |
RECIPES
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Bubur Lambuk-Stuffed Butternut Squash With Mama Lam’s Satay Glaze
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Spiced Bean Salad
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My Best Mapo Tofu, with Mắc Khén Pepper
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Shark-shuka
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Chicken-Zucchini Meatballs with Roasted Tomatoes
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Chex Snack Mix Revisited
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Tahini Cauliflower with Sumac
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Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken with Za'atar Chickpea Salad
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Firinda Kekikli Kaşarlı Patlıcan
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Sweet Mesquite Pecans
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Ilham's Yellow Lempah Fish
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Lemongrass and Herb Pork Sausage
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Çilbir-Inspired Eggs
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Moroccan Chicken Kebabs
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South Indian-style Lentils
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Peaches with Silk Chili & Lime
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Mahi Mahi with Stewed Spiced Peaches
SOURCING
These chilis undergo a traditional drying and grinding process that results in a chili flake with a very smooth, slippery texture. Historically, the chilis were ground using silk ropes, and although more modern grinding machines are used today, the tradition is commemorated in the name Silk Chili.
Meet the Farmer: Hilmi Bey got into the pepper business 40 years ago when he was working as a cook and couldn't find good peppers. He and his brother bought a few sacks from farmers they knew around their native Maras, carried them 18 hours on a train to Istanbul, and walked the streets of the city shouting that they had peppers to sell. From that original entrepreneurial instinct, Hilmi has built a pepper business that he's now turning over to his son (pictured on the right).