Aji Lemon

Species: Capsicum baccatum | Origin: Peru | Pungency: Hot

Aji Lemon, also known as 'Aji Lemon Drop', 'Aji Limón', 'Lemon Drop', and 'Hot Lemon', is a very prolific and much-loved variety from Peru, where it is used as a seasoning pepper and is also known by the name of 'Qillu Uchu', sometimes spelt 'Kellu Uchu'. As with all Capsicum baccatum varieties, the plants are easy to grow, and the chillies have a distinct lemony, citrus-like flavour and ripen from green to bright yellow. Aji Lemon chillies are good for spicing up many types of food, such as sauces, salsas, soups, stews, casseroles, stir fries and rice dishes. They also work very well on pizza or with anything containing cheese, and they dry very easily and make a very tasty powder, albeit a bright yellow one.

Three very similar-looking yellow fruiting Capsicum baccatum varieties of Peruvian origin are 'Inca Hot', 'Aji Peru Yellow' and 'Aji Pineapple'. Some people also confuse Aji Lemon (C. baccatum) with another yellow fruiting variety of Peruvian origin called 'Aji Mochero', also known as 'Limón', which is an heirloom variety from the Moche Valley in Peru and belongs to the Capsicum chinense species. Aji Mochero chillies are much hotter than Aji Lemon chillies and have a very different flavour.

Page published on: 9th October 2019