Gaziantep Muhammarası

Gaziantep Muhammarası is a traditional cold breakfast sauce and meze specific to Gaziantep cuisine. It is made by blending fresh red peppers or red chili flakes with breadcrumbs or rusk, coarsely chopped walnuts, pomegranate molasses, and various spices. The dish, reflecting the culinary heritage of Gaziantep, was registered with a “mahreç” (origin) mark on April 11, 2022, and is protected under Law No. 6769 on Industrial Property.

Gaziantep Muhammarası is prepared using two main methods: with fresh red peppers or with red chili flakes. Both methods include walnuts, pomegranate molasses, lemon juice, cumin, black pepper, and optionally allspice. The mixture is thickened with breadcrumbs or rusk and flavored with olive oil. For presentation, it can be garnished with parsley leaves or additional walnuts.

• Fresh pepper version: Red peppers are cleaned and processed in a food processor, then mixed with breadcrumbs, walnuts, spices, and water. Finally, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, salt, and olive oil are added to achieve a homogeneous mixture.
• Red chili flake version: Olive oil is infused with red chili flakes. Rusk soaked and squeezed in water is combined with the walnut-chili oil mixture. Spices, pomegranate molasses, lemon juice, and salt are added to complete the preparation.

All production stages of Gaziantep Muhammarası must be carried out within Gaziantep province. This geographical link ensures the traditional nature of the product and its place in local culinary culture.

The production and marketing of the product are controlled through an inspection system coordinated by the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality. The inspection body includes representatives from the municipality, Gaziantep Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, and Gaziantep Chamber of Tradesmen and Craftsmen. Inspections are conducted at least once a year, with additional checks possible upon complaint or as needed. Inspections focus on ingredient compliance, adherence to production methods, and correct use of the mahreç mark.