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.

fruitystrawberrysweetfloral

Culinary

seasoningsalsassauceshot saucepowdersfresh eating

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

ShapeDrop
ColorGreen · Red · Orange
Size2.5–5 cm
WallThick
SkinSmooth

Growing

SunFull
WaterModerate
ClimateSubtropical
Days to maturity90 days
Plant height90–120 cm
Soil pH6–7
Germination7–14 days
Spacing60 cm
HardinessZones 9-11

Heritage

Nothing reputable documents a pedigree for this pepper.

Sources