Spices of Aleppo
An ancient Syrian trading city whose name is on Aleppo pepper and whose old covered souks were once among the longest in the world.
Traded and grown here
Best time: March to May, and September to November, subject to conditions.
Aleppo stands at the end of caravan routes from Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean. Its old city and covered souks were damaged in the fighting of 2012 to 2016, and repair work has continued since. The Aleppo pepper, a mild, fruity dried chilli, is named for the city.
Spices and trade
Aleppo pepper is a semi-dried, coarsely ground chilli with a mild heat and a slight tang. It is used in kebabs, muhammara and stews. Aleppo cooking also uses cumin, allspice, cinnamon, sumac, mahleb and pomegranate molasses.
The place and its people
The city is known for its kebab varieties, kibbeh and sweets. Aleppo soap, made with laurel oil, is a famous craft.
Visiting
Check current travel advice before any trip. Much of the old city is still being rebuilt, so the cuisine is often best met in restaurants elsewhere.
A trail idea for Aleppo
- The old souks Look at the vaulted markets, noting what has been restored.
- A spice shop Compare Aleppo pepper.
- A kebab restaurant Taste cherry kebab.
- The Citadel See the old fortress.
Written by the EveryMasala desk with AI assistance. Background: "Aleppo" on Wikipedia. Opening hours, markets and tours change; check locally before travelling. If something is wrong, tell us.
