HotPepperIndex
Capsicum baccatum

Aji Rojo

Peru
Hot
Also known asAji Red · Puca Uchu · Pucha Uchu
Scoville
0SHU
Heat0%
30k–75k SHU · Tyler Farms and Hippy Seed Company listings

The Aji Rojo is a prolific Capsicum baccatum pepper from Peru known for its long tapered pods that ripen from green to vibrant orange-red. It delivers a fruity citrus flavor with moderate to hot heat levels of 30,000-75,000 SHU and high yields.

The Aji Rojo, also known as Aji Red or Puca Uchu, is a Capsicum baccatum variety originating from Peru where it was favored during the Inca Empire. This pepper produces abundant long, pendant-shaped pods measuring 4 to 6 inches in length and about 1 inch wide with smooth skin and medium-thick flesh. The fruits start green and mature to a deep orange or bright red hue. Flavor is fruity with distinct citrus notes, a sweet finish, and a warm heat that builds gradually similar to a mild habanero but with added complexity and refreshment. In culinary applications it shines in Peruvian salsas, ceviche, hot sauces, roasted preparations, stuffing, frying, and stir-fries. The bushy plant grows 2 to 4 feet tall with white flowers, is highly productive even in cooler climates, and thrives in full sun with well-drained fertile soil. It offers excellent versatility for both fresh and cooked dishes while providing reliable yields throughout an extended season.

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Backstory

The Aji Rojo traces its roots to Peru in the Andes region where it was cultivated and favored during the Inca Empire. This baccatum variety is prized for its vibrant color fruity taste and reliable productivity in both traditional South American gardens and modern cultivation.

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Flavor

Fruity with tropical citrus notes and a subtle sweet finish; heat builds slowly on the tongue with a refreshing quality.

fruitycitrussweet

Culinary uses

salsascevichehot saucesroastingstuffingfryingPeruvian cuisine

Q&A

Substitutions

Aji AmarilloCayennePequin

Related variants

Appearance

Skin
smooth
Flesh
medium-thick
Shape
long tapered pendant pods
Width
1 inch
Length
4-6 inches
Ripe color
deep orange to red
Unripe color
green

Growing

Sun
full sun
Soil
fertile well-drained
Notes
high yielding prolific producer white flowers thrives in pots and cooler climates
Water
moderate consistent
Spread
up to 36 inches
Harvest
when fully colored
Plant height
24-48 inches
Days to maturity
90+

Nutrition

Vitamins
high in vitamin C and A
Antioxidants
rich in capsaicinoids and carotenoids
Calories per 100g
40

Origin detail

Region
Andes, Peru
Country
Peru

Tags

baccatumperuvianfruitysalsaajíred ajiinca

Sources

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These references are used to verify what we publish — not as the source of the content itself. Seed catalogs, breeder pages, research papers, and cultivar databases let us cross-check every fact before it lands here. Open any card to read the original or dig deeper.

5 sources · 6 searches · 5.3k reasoning tokens · Added May 13, 2026, 08:47 UTC
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