Aji Limón
Also known as Aji Lemon · Aji Limon · Hot Lemon · Hot Lemon Pepper · Lemon Drop · Lemon Drop Chili · Lemon Drop Pepper
Aji Limón is a Capsicum baccatum landrace from Andean foothills, Peru. Capsi’s sourced range is 57,117 SHU (Lab-verified). Flavor is citrus, lemon, fruity, tangy, sweet. Used for ceviche and fresh seafood, salsas and relishes, homemade hot sauces, marinades for chicken and fish, soups and stews. Heat is a range, not a single marketing number.
A striking bright-yellow heirloom chile from the Peruvian Andes, prized worldwide for its refreshing lemon-citrus aroma and clean, vibrant heat that elevates fresh dishes and sauces without dominating them.
Growing
~95 days to maturity
Fruit size
5–8 cm
Flavor & Use
Vibrant and refreshing citrus forward with pronounced lemon and subtle lemongrass notes; the flavor is clean, slightly sweet, and tangy with a bright fruity lift that complements rather than competes with other ingredients.
Culinary
About
The Aji Limón, widely known as Lemon Drop, is a traditional cone-shaped pepper originating from the Andean foothills of Peru. Its pods are slender and tapered, typically reaching 2 to 3 inches in length with a slightly crinkled surface and thin, crisp walls that contain relatively few seeds. When ripe, the fruit transforms into a vivid golden-yellow hue that stands out in any garden or dish. This variety delivers a bright, tangy citrus character paired with moderate heat that builds quickly yet fades cleanly, making it exceptionally versatile for both raw and lightly cooked preparations. It remains a cornerstone of Peruvian and broader South American cooking, adding lively color, fragrance, and balanced spice to countless traditional recipes.
Backstory
This ancient Andean variety has been cultivated for centuries in the highland and coastal-adjacent valleys of Peru, where indigenous farmers selected for its distinctive color, productivity, and unique lemon-like character long before European contact. It forms an essential part of Peru’s rich culinary heritage and continues to be grown both commercially and in home gardens across the region for its reliability and exceptional flavor. Its popularity has spread globally among gardeners and chefs who appreciate its ornamental beauty and the way it brings a sunny, zesty lift to modern fusion dishes.
Appearance
Growing
Heritage
Aji Limón is a traditional landrace.
Peppers bred from Aji Limón
Chile Pepper Institute and Cornell treat Lemon Drop / Ají Limón as a Peruvian C. baccatum seasoning type with no named parents. Catalogs trace the US line to Peruvian markets and USDA PI 315024; none record a planned cross.
Sources
Heat figures in Capsi are tied to a source and a trust tier. How we verify heat
- 57,117 SHU · Lab-verifiedMalak Alghamdi, Thirumurugan Rathinasabapathy, Slavko Komarnytsky (2025) Int. J. Mol. Sci. · HPLC10.3390/ijms26104916
- 30,000–50,000 SHU · Vendor ClaimLemon Drop Hot Chile Pepper | John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds
- 15,000–30,000 SHU · Vendor ClaimAji Lemon Pepper Seeds | Tyler Farms
- 10,000–30,000 SHU · Vendor ClaimLemon Drop Pepper | HRSeeds
- Botanical taxonomy, description, heat range, history, and references to Chile Pepper Institute and primary sourcesen.wikipedia.org
- Scoville details, flavor profile, origin, uses, and size facts for Lemon Drop / Aji Limónpepperscale.com
- Baker Creek seed catalog with growing specs, appearance, thin walls, flavor, and maturity detailsrareseeds.com
- Seed provenance, traditional Peruvian ceviche uses, citrus aroma, and maturity infotrueloveseeds.com
- Pre-Columbian history, growing guidance, frost tolerance, and heirloom context by expertmotherearthnews.com
- Flavor, heat, size, uses, and cultivation notes for Lemon Drop pepperchilipeppermadness.com
Last updated 18 Aug 2026 at 07:17
FAQ
- How hot is Aji Limón?
- Capsi’s sourced range is 57,117 SHU (Lab-verified). 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 Limón taste like?
- Vibrant and refreshing citrus forward with pronounced lemon and subtle lemongrass notes; the flavor is clean, slightly sweet, and tangy with a bright fruity lift that complements rather than competes with other ingredients.
- How do I grow Aji Limón?
- Aji Limón: about 95 days to maturity, subtropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.
- What can I substitute for Aji Limón?
- Aji Amarillo (for Peruvian flair), fresh habanero (milder citrus option), jalapeño with added lemon zest