Maras Biber

Maras Biber is a Turkish red chilli from the Kahramanmaras region, grown mainly for drying and flaking into what is sold as Maras pepper flakes or pul biber.

Fresh pods are typically 10–20 cm long and 2–3 cm wide, borne pendant on the plant and ripening from green to deep red. Walls are medium thickness. Plants often reach around 60–90 cm tall under field conditions.

Heat level is widely reported between 30,000 and 70,000 SHU depending on strain and growing conditions. A working figure of 50,000 SHU represents a mid-range estimate rather than a fixed standard.

After harvest, pods are traditionally sun-dried and then crushed into coarse flakes. The finished flakes are often described as slightly oily and deep red rather than dry and brittle, with moderate heat and noticeable sweetness. Mild smokiness can develop from traditional drying methods.

Maras Biber is not a single fixed cultivar but a regional landrace type grown in and around Kahramanmaras. Different farms and seed stocks vary in pod size, colour tone, and heat level, so measurements and SHU values are approximate averages rather than strict breeder specifications.

It is a significant regional agricultural product in southern Turkey and is widely used in Turkish cuisine on meats, kebabs, soups, and salads.