Aji Limo
Also known as Aji Limo Rojo
Aji Limo is a colorful, aromatic chili pepper native to coastal Peru and a member of the Capsicum chinense species. It delivers bright citrus notes of lemon and lime alongside moderate heat and is a staple in Peruvian ceviche and fresh salsas.
Growing
~90 days to maturity
Fruit size
5–8 cm
Flavor & Use
Bright lemon-lime citrus with floral undertones and a clean, quick-burning heat that is more aromatic than vegetal.
Culinary
About
Aji Limo peppers grow on compact, productive plants and ripen in a spectrum of vibrant hues including yellow, red, orange, purple, and occasionally white. The fruits are typically 5–8 cm long, thin-walled, and tapered or slightly irregular in shape with smooth to lightly textured skin. They offer a distinctive fruity, floral aroma with prominent lemon-lime and citrus flavors that stand out even after cooking. Heat builds quickly but cleanly, making the pepper ideal for fresh preparations where its bright character can shine. In traditional Peruvian cuisine the pepper is finely minced and added raw to ceviche, tiraditos, and salsas; it also features in marinades, hot sauces, and seafood dishes. The plants thrive in warm, sunny conditions and have been cultivated since pre-Columbian times along Peru’s western Andean slopes. Outside Peru they remain a specialty variety popular with home gardeners for their productivity and ornamental color.
Backstory
Cultivated along Peru’s coast for thousands of years since pre-Columbian times; essential flavoring for coastal Peruvian dishes, especially ceviche.
Appearance
Growing
Heritage
Aji Limo is a traditional landrace.
PROMPERÚ and INIA treat Ají Limo as a traditional northern-coast Capsicum chinense group with many local color forms and no named parents. The same name is also used for Amazon-slope ceviche peppers; US packets often sell Lemon Drop under this label.