Crispy Chilli Oil but make it Turkish

Great Taste Award winner (2 stars). Authentic Turkish flavours meet a modern chef's touch.

What is Çıtır Biber?

Çıtır Biber (Turkish for "crispy chilli") is an award-winning Turkish crispy chilli oil made with Turkish chillies, rose petals, mint and pomegranate. It turns simple dishes like hummus into something special.

What makes it different

• Authentic recipe: built on pul biber, isot biber and coriander seed, three core Turkish flavours.
• Layered flavour: the chillies bring heat and smoke, coriander adds warmth, rose and mint add brightness, pomegranate adds tang.
• Clean ingredients: vegan, no additives, no preservatives.
• Restaurant-grade: created with Hale Amus of Turkish Tale, author of The Bible of the Turkish Kitchen.

The story behind Çıtır Biber

Çıtır Biber was born from a conversation between two experts in authentic cuisine. Hale Amus, owner of Turkish Tale, a Turkish restaurant in Eindhoven, and author of the cookbook The Bible of the Turkish Kitchen, wanted something she could not find: the perfect crispy chilli oil to top hummus.

She turned to Nicole of Trouble & Spice, known for capturing authentic cuisines in crispy chilli oils. The result was Çıtır Biber: a Turkish chilli oil born from restaurant expertise, culinary tradition and obsessive attention to flavour balance. Handmade in small batches in the Netherlands.

What's inside

The ultimate hummus topping

Çıtır Biber was made for hummus. The warm spice of Turkish chillies meets creamy chickpeas, while mint and rose add something unexpected. A simple dip suddenly tastes like it came from a kitchen in Istanbul.

How to use Çıtır Biber

• On hummus: pool it on top or swirl it through warm hummus.
• As a marinade: mix with olive oil and garlic for lamb, chicken or vegetables. Great on the BBQ.
• Cooking: use it for pan-frying or roasting. Avoid long, direct high heat or the crispy bits will burn. For longer cooking, use just the oil.
• Finishing: spoon over roasted vegetables, soups or yoghurt just before serving.

"I add this to all sorts of egg recipes, on hummus, on eggplant dishes. It works with Ottolenghi recipes and muhammara. Love it." Tiara Nataf, customer

Beyond hummus

Awards and recognition

• Great Taste Awards 2025: 2 stars
• European Hot Sauce Awards 2025: Silver, Best Chilli Oil
• Great Taste Awards 2024: 1 star
• Featured in Delicious Magazine, Jan Magazine, Linda Meiden and more

See all awards and press on our Awards & Press page.

Why foodies choose Çıtır Biber

Çıtır Biber builds flavour layer by layer: the heat of pul biber, the smoke of isot, the elegance of rose, the brightness of pomegranate. No shortcuts, no over-sweetening. Great Taste judges called it "delightful".

It comes from people who know Turkish food inside out, trained in professional kitchens and cooking from family recipes. Serve it on hummus at a dinner party and people will ask what it is.

FAQs

How long does it last?

Keep it in a cool, dark place. It keeps for at least a year from purchase. Over time the crispy bits may soften slightly as they absorb oil. That is completely natural.

Can I cook with it?

Yes. Use it as a marinade or to finish a tray bake for the last ten minutes. On high heat, use just the oil and add the crispy bits as a garnish.

How is it different from other chilli oils?

Many chilli oils are mostly heat. Çıtır Biber layers Turkish chillies with rose, pomegranate and mint, so you taste several flavours alongside the warmth.

Who is it for?

Anyone who loves Turkish or Middle Eastern food, cooks from Ottolenghi's books, or wants hummus and roasted vegetables to taste better.