# Aji Panca

Also known as Aji Brown, Ají Panca, Panca Chile, Peruvian Red Pepper.
Species: Capsicum baccatum.

Aji Panca is a Capsicum baccatum landrace from Coastal Peru, Peru. Capsi’s sourced range is 4,391–5,129 SHU (Lab-verified; typical 4,760). Flavor is sweet, smoky, fruity, berry-like, raisin-like. Used for Peruvian sauces and pastes, anticuchos marinades, stews and adobos, soups, rice dishes. Heat is a range, not a single marketing number.
About 1/5.3 the typical heat of a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU).

## Heat sources

- 4,391–5,129 SHU · Lab-verified
  Américo Guevara Pérez, Elizabeth Villanueva-Quejia, Diana Nolazco Cama, Gabriela Llontop, Keidy Cancino Chávez (2021) Enfoque UTE, vol. 12, núm. 3, pp. 1-10 · HPLC
  DOI: 10.29019/enfoqueute.675
  https://doi.org/10.29019/enfoqueute.675

- 1,000–1,500 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Aji Panca
  https://bcfoods.com/products/specialty-chiles/aji-panca/

- 100–300 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Aji Panca
  https://bcfoods.com/products/specialty-chiles/aji-panca/

- 1,000–1,500 SHU · Unverified
  Aji Panca Heat & Flavor: The Mild, Fruity Peruvian Chili
  https://pepperscale.com/aji-panca/

- 500 SHU · Unverified
  (2013)
  https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/chili-pepper-types/sweet-mild-chili-peppers/aji-panca-chili-peppers/

## Heritage

Landrace

Aji Panca is a traditional landrace.

NMSU’s 1997 Chile Pepper Institute note and UNALM’s native-ají surveys both treat Panca as a farmer-kept coastal Peruvian type with no named parents. Genebank and catalog pages repeat that origin and name no cross.

## Page sources

- [Detailed guide on heat, flavor, origin and culinary uses](https://pepperscale.com/aji-panca/)
- [Produce facts, appearance, flavor and history](https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/Aji_Panca_Chile_Peppers_12786.php)
- [Pepper profile, SHU and Peruvian uses](https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/chili-pepper-types/sweet-mild-chili-peppers/aji-panca-chili-peppers/)
- [Cultivation guide including height, spacing and starting seeds](https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/pepper/growing-aji-panca-chilis.htm)
- [Culinary uses, anticuchos role and paste preparation](https://www.thespruceeats.com/aji-panca-peruvian-red-pepper-3029289)
- [Botanical overview and Peruvian context](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aj%C3%AD_panca)

## FAQ
### How hot is Aji Panca?

Capsi’s sourced range is 4,391–5,129 SHU (Lab-verified; typical 4,760). 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 Panca taste like?

Sweet and smoky with subtle fruity notes reminiscent of blueberries and blackberries; raisin-like when dried, with smoky overtones and mild lingering heat.

### How do I grow Aji Panca?

Aji Panca: about 100 days to maturity, subtropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.

### What can I substitute for Aji Panca?

Pasilla chile, Ancho chile, Mulato chile

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