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Lemon Drop pepper (Capsicum baccatum), also known as Aji Limón, is a prolific Peruvian heirloom pepper with a bright yellow color, citrusy flavor, and medium heat (15,000–30,000 SHU). These plants produce abundant, slender, 2–3 inch pods with a tangy, zesty taste, making them ideal for salsas, hot sauces, and seasoning fish or chicken. They are vigorous, upright plants that need full sun and well-drained soil, and they mature to a vibrant yellow, sometimes with a purple blush.
Characteristics
Flavor: Tangy, citrusy, and zesty with a clean, moderate heat.
Heat Level: 15,000–30,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), similar to a Cayenne or Serrano pepper.
Appearance: Small, tapered, crinkled pods that ripen from green to a bright, waxy yellow.
Plant: Vigorous, bushy, and upright, reaching about 3 feet tall.
Growing tips
Sunlight: Full sun is best, though they may appreciate some afternoon shade in very hot climates.
Soil: Rich, well-drained soil with organic matter.
Watering: Keep soil moist but allow it to dry slightly between waterings to prevent root rot; water at the base.
Starting: Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost.
Maturity: Takes longer to mature than many peppers, around 100 days from transplanting.
Culinary uses
Fresh salsas, ceviche, and salads.
• • Hot sauces and marinades.
Lemon Drop pepper (Capsicum baccatum), also known as Aji Limón, is a prolific Peruvian heirloom pepper with a bright yellow color, citrusy flavor, and medium heat (15,000–30,000 SHU). These plants produce abundant, slender, 2–3 inch pods with a tangy, zesty taste, making them ideal for salsas, hot sauces, and seasoning fish or chicken. They are vigorous, upright plants that need full sun and well-drained soil, and they mature to a vibrant yellow, sometimes with a purple blush.
Characteristics
Flavor: Tangy, citrusy, and zesty with a clean, moderate heat.
Heat Level: 15,000–30,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), similar to a Cayenne or Serrano pepper.
Appearance: Small, tapered, crinkled pods that ripen from green to a bright, waxy yellow.
Plant: Vigorous, bushy, and upright, reaching about 3 feet tall.
Growing tips
Sunlight: Full sun is best, though they may appreciate some afternoon shade in very hot climates.
Soil: Rich, well-drained soil with organic matter.
Watering: Keep soil moist but allow it to dry slightly between waterings to prevent root rot; water at the base.
Starting: Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost.
Maturity: Takes longer to mature than many peppers, around 100 days from transplanting.
Culinary uses
Fresh salsas, ceviche, and salads.
• • Hot sauces and marinades.