Aji Sivri
Also known as Aci Sivri · Aci Sivri Biber · Aci Sivri Kil
Aji Sivri is a prolific Turkish heirloom Capsicum annuum pepper known for its long, slender, twisted red pods and medium-hot heat with fruity undertones. Popular in Turkish cuisine for pickling, drying, and sauces, it thrives in shorter growing seasons.
Growing
~85 days to maturity
Fruit size
13–25 cm
Flavor & Use
Similar to a cayenne pepper with strong fruity undertones and slight sweetness beneath the pungency.
Culinary
About
Aji Sivri, also spelled Aci Sivri, is a traditional Turkish heirloom chili pepper variety that resembles an elongated cayenne pepper. The plants grow tall, reaching up to 3 feet, and are highly productive, often yielding 50 or more pods per plant. The fruits measure 5 to 10 inches long, slender and somewhat wrinkly, with a twisted shape. They start green and ripen to a glossy, vibrant attractive shiny red. Heat levels vary significantly from plant to plant but typically range from 5,000 to 30,000 Scoville Heat Units, offering a fruity, slightly sweet flavor profile with grassy notes and a clean finish. In Turkish cuisine, they are commonly eaten fresh when still green and pickled for tender seeds, or dried and ground into chili flakes and powders. The variety was introduced to the United States in the 1990s by the Seeds of Change seed company and is valued for its adaptability to shorter seasons and cooler climates. It may be related to other common Turkish peppers such as Aci Ilica or commercial selections like Ilica 256, as the name is somewhat generic meaning hot and pointed in Turkish.
Backstory
Turkish heirloom variety with the generic name meaning 'hot pointed' in Turkish. Popular in Turkish cuisine and introduced to the US in the 1990s by Seeds of Change. Possibly related to Aci Ilica or Ilica 256 selections common among Turkish farmers.
Appearance
Growing
Heritage
ExploreAji Sivri is a traditional landrace.
Sources
FAQ
- How hot is Aji Sivri?
- Capsi’s sourced range is 5,000–50,000 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 Sivri taste like?
- Similar to a cayenne pepper with strong fruity undertones and slight sweetness beneath the pungency.
- How do I grow Aji Sivri?
- Aji Sivri: about 85 days to maturity, temperate short-season climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.
- What can I substitute for Aji Sivri?
- cayenne pepper, red chili flakes