Many Turkish dishes start the same way: first fry the salça. Here is the difference between Turkish pepper paste (biber salçası) and tomato paste (domates salçası), their German names, how to use them and how to store an opened jar.
Types of salça
| Salça | German name | In short |
|---|---|---|
| Tatlı biber salçası | Mildes Paprikamark | Mild red pepper paste. → WeNatur Sweet Pepper Paste 1000 g |
| Acı biber salçası | Scharfes Paprikamark | Hot pepper paste. → WeNatur Hot Pepper Paste 1000 g |
| Domates salçası | Tomatenmark | Concentrated tomato, tangier. → Tomato Paste 1000 g |
| Antep salça | Paprikamark aus Antep | Extra-thick Gaziantep-style paste. → Antep Hot Pepper Paste 1 kg |
Pepper paste vs. tomato paste
Pepper paste is made from crushed, salted and thickened red peppers; it is deep red with a sweet or hot pepper flavour. Tomato paste is tangier and lighter. Many home-style dishes use both: tomato for body, pepper for colour and aroma.
How to use salça
- Menemen: a spoonful of pepper paste – see our menemen recipe.
- Kuru fasulye: white bean stew built on fried tomato and pepper paste.
- Mercimek köftesi: red lentils and fine bulgur coloured with pepper paste.
- Ezme and kısır: hot pepper paste for ezme, mild for the bulgur salad kısır.
Tip: fry the paste in oil for about a minute before adding other ingredients.
Storing opened salça
- Keep the closed jar in the fridge.
- Smooth the surface and cover it with a thin layer of olive oil so it does not dry out.
- Always use a clean, dry spoon.
- Freeze portions in an ice-cube tray.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is salça in German?
Tomato paste is Tomatenmark, pepper paste Paprikamark or Paprikapaste.
Can I replace pepper paste with tomato paste?
Yes, but the taste and colour change; many recipes combine both.
Can salça be frozen?
Yes – in portions, added to the pot straight from frozen.
More guides
- Menemen recipe
- What is pekmez?
- Turkish sweets
- Turkish nuts & dried fruit
- Turkish olives
- Turkish tea & tea varieties
- Turşu: Turkish pickles
- Tropical fruits list
- Tahini & nut butters
- Rosemary oil & rosemary water
- How to store garlic
- What is propolis?
- Date varieties
- Turkish cheese varieties
- What is sucuk?
- Turkish foods in German – glossary
