Image of Aleppo plant at Google
Aleppo pepper, which is also known as Halaby pepper, is a variety of Capsicum annuum.
Overview
- It is used as a spice.
- It is used particularly in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine.
- It starts as pods which ripen to a burgundy color and is then semi-dried, de-seeded, then crushed or coarsely ground.
- The pepper is named after Aleppo, a long-inhabited city along the Silk Road in northern Syria.
- It is grown in Syria and Turkey.
- It is a common condiment.
- The Aleppo pepper has a moderate heat level of about 10,000 on the Scoville scale.
- The flavour has some fruitiness and mild, cumin-like undertones.
- Its flavor is similar to the ancho chile, but oilier and slightly salty.
- Salt is often used in the drying process.
- It is fairly mild, with a fruity raisin-like flavor.
Uses
- The most common use is in the form of crushed flakes.
- Crushed Aleppo pepper can be used as a substitute for crushed red pepper or paprika.
- The spice is a common ingredient in some of the dishes that comprise a meze.
Growing/Caring conditions for Aleppo
- Sow seedlings indoors.
- It prefers well-drained soils, such as silty or sandy loams, and 800–2,000 mm (31–79 in) of annual precipitation.
- Sow them late spring to early summer.
- The plant requires full sun.
- Sow those eight to ten weeks before the last frost date for your area.
- They are a difficult in germination and seedlings grow slowly at first.
- Provide bottom heat or heat lamps to raise the soil temperature to 80 degrees.
- This will promote better and quicker germination.
- A heated germination mat works well.
- While your seedlings are growing, get your garden ready.
- Add plenty of compost, manure, and a general fertilizer.
- Peppers like hot weather.
- Transplant young seedlings outdoors after the last chance of frost.
- If the weather is still cool, delay transplanting a few days.
- Keep them in a cold frame, indoors.
- Space 18-24 inches apart, in rows 24 to 30 inches apart.
- Mulching around the peppers to keep down weeds, retain moisture, and help to feed the plant.
- As the peppers develop, use a fertilizer higher in Phosphorous and Potassium.
- Providing too much nitrogen will result in a great looking bushy, green plant, but few fruits.
- Peppers can be picked as soon as they reach a size which is edible.
- Continuous harvesting encourages the fruit to produce new flowers.
- Spider mites and aphids are the most common problems.
- An occasional borer insect is also known to attack this plant.
- Try an organic insecticide or dust.
- Fungal infections can be treated with fungicides. Apply treatment as soon as you see it.
- Potential pests include aphids, white flies, cutworms, pepper maggots, and Colorado potato beetles.
- Diseases include Verticillium wilt and mosaic virus.
- Frost will stunt or kill the plants.
- Cold weather can cause the plant to slow down or stunt it.
- Use a hot cap in on cold and frosty spring nights.
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