Women harvest, dry hot red peppers under scorching Şanlıurfa sun to make signature Turkish spice

The period between the end of July and the beginning of August is known in southeastern Turkey's Şanlıurfa province as the time to make their traditional spice "isot," often referred to as "Urfa biberi" (pepper).

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Women harvest, dry hot red peppers under scorching Şanlıurfa sun to make signature Turkish spice

Isot is Turkish dried hot chili flakes made from peppers native to Şanlıurfa.

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Women harvest, dry hot red peppers under scorching Şanlıurfa sun to make signature Turkish spice

Isot peppers are planted some time in the fall and the harvesting starts toward the end of July.

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Women harvest, dry hot red peppers under scorching Şanlıurfa sun to make signature Turkish spice

Done mostly by women and children, the peppers first get washed and separated from their stems and various waste after being brought to an open field with loaded trucks.

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Women harvest, dry hot red peppers under scorching Şanlıurfa sun to make signature Turkish spice

According to Mustafa Işıkay, who is involved in the production of isot, women come to the fields after the morning prayers which end with the sunrise.

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Women harvest, dry hot red peppers under scorching Şanlıurfa sun to make signature Turkish spice

Before being processed by a special machine, the peppers are manually torn into pieces.

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Women harvest, dry hot red peppers under scorching Şanlıurfa sun to make signature Turkish spice

Then the vegetables are left to dry under the scorching sun for several days while being continuously flipped around.

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Women harvest, dry hot red peppers under scorching Şanlıurfa sun to make signature Turkish spice

After their color darkens to an intense purplish color, the peppers are cut into tiny bits, which are then blended with olive oil to give isot its distinctive shine and taste.

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Women harvest, dry hot red peppers under scorching Şanlıurfa sun to make signature Turkish spice

After the isot is ready, it is sent to market places all across Turkey.

AA Photo

Women harvest, dry hot red peppers under scorching Şanlıurfa sun to make signature Turkish spice

AA Photo

Women harvest, dry hot red peppers under scorching Şanlıurfa sun to make signature Turkish spice

AA Photo

Women harvest, dry hot red peppers under scorching Şanlıurfa sun to make signature Turkish spice

AA Photo