fruit

flower

plant

leaf

fruit:

• round or slightly oval, yellow-orange peppers
• strong fruity citrus scent
• fruits of just a couple of millimeters in size surprise with a strong heat

plant:

• tall and richly branched bush
• double the size of Aji Charapita Small
• shape similar to Ficus benjamin
• smaller, light green, slightly grooved leaves
• small, white coloured flowers
• one plant grows hundreds of peppers

cultivation:

• temperature above 24°C and mild humidity of the substrate should be maintained for germination
• ideally in a glass or plastic green-house with a good ventilation
• may be cultivated both outdoors and indoors
• sustains well through occasional lack of moisture

use:

• fresh peppers may be confected, pickled or added into mixtures
• while cooking, the unique tropical taste of these peppers really shines in salsa and sauces
• frequently used dried, crushed or ground
• Aji Charapita powder is similar in heat to Cayenne pepper

curiosities:

• supposedly the most expensive chilli pepper in the world
• fruits resemble Indian pepper, Tepin
• originated in the northern jungle of Peru
• thanks to its rarity it is referred to as "the Mother of all chilli peppers"

synonyms:

• Charapilla
• Tettinas de Monk
• Wild Peruvian chilli pepper