Aji Strawberry
Also known as Aji Strawberry · Aji Strawberry Drop
Rare Peruvian Capsicum baccatum variety with strawberry-resembling pods, sweet-fruity flavor, and medium heat. High-yielding productive plants ideal for home gardens and culinary use.
Growing
~90 days to maturity
Fruit size
2.5–5 cm
Flavor & Use
Fruity with subtle strawberry undertones, sweet, crunchy, and floral baccatum character; heat is pleasant and balanced.
Culinary
About
A rare Capsicum baccatum pepper known as Aji Strawberry or Aji Strawberry Drop. This Peruvian variety produces small, thick-walled, crunchy pods (1-2 inches / 2.5-5 cm) that ripen to vibrant red (sometimes orange) and resemble strawberries in shape and color. It features a pleasant fruity flavor with strawberry hints and moderate heat, making it a versatile seasoning pepper for fresh use, salsas, sauces, and powders.
Backstory
Variant of the traditional Peruvian Aji Limón (kellu uchu / Lemon Drop), selected for its distinctive strawberry-like appearance and sweeter fruit profile. Baccatum ajís have been cultivated in the Andes for millennia and gained wider attention in the West through heirloom seed catalogs in recent decades.
Appearance
Growing
Heritage
ExploreNothing reputable documents a pedigree for this pepper.
Sources
FAQ
- How hot is Aji Strawberry?
- Capsi’s sourced range is 15,000–50,000 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 Strawberry taste like?
- Fruity with subtle strawberry undertones, sweet, crunchy, and floral baccatum character; heat is pleasant and balanced.
- How do I grow Aji Strawberry?
- Aji Strawberry: about 90 days to maturity, subtropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.
- What can I substitute for Aji Strawberry?
- Capsi does not have that recorded yet.