Aji Jobito

Also known as Aji Dulce Jobito · Ají Jobito

A rare mild Capsicum chinense landrace from eastern Venezuela, celebrated for its rich sweet-fruity flavor and virtually no heat.

About 1/48 the typical heat of a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU).

Flavor & Use

Sweet, rich and complex with tropical fruit and dark-brown-sugar notes, a light chinense fragrance, and a nutty aftertaste reminiscent of almonds or Brazil nuts; virtually no heat.

sweetfruitynuttyaromatic

Culinary

Essential in eastern Venezuelan sofritossoupsstewssaladssalsasand rice-and-bean dishes. Used green in sancochos and ripe yellow/orange for seasoningthick flesh suits stuffing or fresh eatingoccasionally dried or even used in ice cream and chocolate.

About

Aji Jobito is a rare Venezuelan Capsicum chinense landrace that produces small oval to slightly rounded pods typically 3–5 cm long. Fruits ripen from light green to bright yellow or orange and have smooth, thick walls. The flavor is exceptionally rich and complex for a near-heatless chinense: sweet with tropical-fruit and brown-sugar notes, a subtle classic chinense aroma, and a pleasant nutty aftertaste. Plants are productive, relatively compact to medium-sized, and often long-lived when overwintered.

Backstory

This landrace originates in Sucre state, eastern Venezuela, first cultivated around Marigüitar near the Cariaco Gulf and now mainly grown in Cumanacoa near Cumaná. It is named for its resemblance in shape and color to the Jobo fruit (Spondias mombin). Seeds were introduced to international growers by Lindberg Figueroa of Cumaná and further distributed by Joe Delaney. In 2026 the first Asociación de Ají Jobito de Venezuela was formed in Sucre to protect its genetics and promote production. Local chefs such as Pedro Castillo have championed it as a signature ingredient of Cumaná cuisine.

Appearance

ShapeOval
ColorGreen · Yellow · Orange
Size3–5 cm
WallThick
SkinSmooth

Growing

SunFull
WaterModerate
ClimateTropical
Days to maturity100 days
Plant height60–150 cm
Soil pH6–6.8
Germination7–14 days
Spacing50 cm
HardinessZones 9-11

Heritage

Explore

Aji Jobito is a traditional landrace.

Sources

FAQ

How hot is Aji Jobito?
Capsi’s sourced range is 0–1,000 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 Jobito taste like?
Sweet, rich and complex with tropical fruit and dark-brown-sugar notes, a light chinense fragrance, and a nutty aftertaste reminiscent of almonds or Brazil nuts; virtually no heat.
How do I grow Aji Jobito?
Aji Jobito: about 100 days to maturity, tropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.
What can I substitute for Aji Jobito?
Capsi does not have that recorded yet.