Maras Biber-(Capsicum annuum)- The Maras Biber is a pepper native to South Central region of Turkey near the Syrian border. It grows near the area around the city of Kahramanmaras. Like the Urfa Biber and Aleppo the Maras Biber is also known for it’s rich complex slightly sweet flavor. It has a mild to medium heat level depending on growing conditions. The Maras Biber peppers are about 3- 6 inches long resembling Eastern Europe Paprika types like Kalocsa or Szegedi 179. They ripen from green to a dark red. In Turkey they are used in cooking whole or chopped up but mostly they are sun dried, preserved with oil and salt and used as a seasoning with meats like lamb. The Maras Biber chile plants grow 2-3 feet tall.
