# Aji Chuncho

Also known as Ají Chuncho, Aji Chuncho PI 260480.
Species: Capsicum frutescens.

Aji Chuncho is a Capsicum frutescens landrace from Junín Province (San Ramón area), Peruvian Amazon, Peru. Capsi’s sourced range is 30,000–50,000 SHU (Vendor Claim). Flavor is crisp, sweet capsicum, lingering sweetness. Used for ceviche, sauces, stir-fries, pickling, Peruvian dishes. Heat is a range, not a single marketing number.

## Heat sources

- 30,000–50,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Aji Chuncho product page - The Hippy Seed Company
  https://thehippyseedcompany.com/product/aji-chuncho/

- 30,000–50,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Capsicum frutescens (Aji Chuncho Pepper) - Backyard Gardener
  https://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/capsicum-frutescens-aji-chuncho-pepper/

## Heritage

Landrace

Aji Chuncho is a traditional landrace.

USDA’s 1959 inventory records four San Ramón yard collections of C. frutescens locally called Aji Chuncho, a typical uncultivated form, with no parents. Catalog pages repeat that accession and also name no cross.

## Page sources

- [Hippy Seed Company: Aji Chuncho product description](https://thehippyseedcompany.com/product/aji-chuncho/)
- [Chilli Growing Guide: Aji Chuncho (PI 260480)](https://chilligrowingguide.co.uk/products/aji-chuncho-pi-260480.html)
- [PepperRank database entry confirming species, origin, fruit details](https://pepperrank.com/peppers/aji-chuncho/)
- [Backyard Gardener: cultivar characteristics, SHU range, hardiness, soil info](https://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/capsicum-frutescens-aji-chuncho-pepper/)
- [USDA GRIN Plant Inventory No. 167: PI 260480 collection record (San Ramón, Peru)](https://www.ars-grin.gov/npgs/pi_books/scans/167/pi167_233.pdf)
- [Chilisorte.de: genbank reference to USDA PI 260480 Capsicum frutescens](https://www.chilisorte.de/capsicum/aji-chuncho-pi-260480/)

## FAQ
### How hot is Aji Chuncho?

Capsi’s sourced range is 30,000–50,000 SHU (Vendor Claim). Capsi uses a sourced range and a trust tier, not a single marketing number. How we verify heat: https://web.thecapsi.app/learn/heat-and-capsaicin/how-we-measure-heat

### What does Aji Chuncho taste like?

Crisp texture with a delightful capsicum flavor and a hint of sweetness that lingers on the tongue.

### How do I grow Aji Chuncho?

Aji Chuncho: tropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.

### What can I substitute for Aji Chuncho?

Capsi does not have that recorded yet.

Page: https://web.thecapsi.app/pepper/aji-chuncho
Catalog: https://web.thecapsi.app/data