Aji Charapita - 15 pcs seeds

Aji Charapita (Aji Charapita) is a renowned wild Peruvian chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens) that produces hundreds of small, round, bright-yellow fruits on a single plant. The small peppers grow upright and are extremely popular in Peru and Bolivia, where they are traditionally used to flavour local dishes and fresh spicy garnishes. Despite its tiny size, Aji Charapita is exceptionally hot – 100 000–250 000 SHU on the Scoville scale.

Aji Charapita (Aji Charapita), also known as the Wild Peruvian Pepper – Wild Peruvian chili pepper, is one of the most recognizable traditional hot varieties from South America. Vreeken's Zaden classifies it as Capsicum frutescens.

The variety's main distinguishing feature is its huge number of fruits. A well-developed plant can produce hundreds of small, round yellow peppers that grow upright on the plant. Once fully ripe, their bright-yellow colour makes them highly decorative and easy to recognize.

But their small size is deceptive. Aji Charapita reaches an impressive 100 000–250 000 Scoville units, placing it firmly among the very hot peppers. According to Vreeken's Zaden, its heat is roughly comparable to that of the wild Tepin pepper.

The variety is suitable for both greenhouse and outdoor cultivation. Greenhouse cultivation is recommended for maximum yield. Start the seeds indoors between January and April at 20–30°C, and the plants can be moved outdoors around the end of May.

Taller plants can be tied to a support or pruned to achieve a more compact form. An interesting feature is that at the end of the season, plants can be transplanted into pots and brought indoors, where they can continue fruiting on a bright windowsill.

Variety characteristics

✔️ Variety: Aji Charapita (Aji Charapita)
✔️ Other name: Wild Peruvian Pepper / Wild Peruvian chilli pepper
✔️ Botanical name: Capsicum frutescens
✔️ Type: Very hot chilli pepper
✔️ Origin / traditional popularity: Peru and Bolivia
✔️ Heat level: 100 000–250 000 SHU
✔️ Fruit shape: Small and round
✔️ Ripe-fruit colour: Bright yellow
✔️ Fruit position: Upright
✔️ Productivity: Hundreds of fruits per plant
✔️ Cultivation: Greenhouse or outdoors
✔️ Suitable for growing in pots: Yes.

🔥 Heat

100 000–250 000 SHU

This is a very hot pepper. Aji Charapita can reach up to 250 000 Scoville units, and its heat is comparable to that of Tepin.

For comparison, this means that even one of the small fruits can add considerable heat to a dish.

⚠️ When handling ripe fruits, it is recommended to wear gloves and avoid contact with the eyes and sensitive areas of the skin.

🌱 Sowing and growing

Sowing period: January – April

Sowing location: indoors

Germination temperature: 20–30°C

Greenhouse planting: recommended for a higher yield

Planting outdoors: approximately the end of May

Support: stakes can be used for taller plants

Pruning: possible to shape a more compact plant.

Aji Charapita is a heat-loving variety, and starting the seeds early provides a longer period for development and fruiting.

🪴 Container growing

Aji Charapita is also an interesting choice for container growing.

In autumn, plants can be lifted from the garden or moved indoors in their pots. Placed in a bright window, they can continue producing fruit after the outdoor season has ended.

This is particularly useful for plants that still carry a large number of unripe fruit.

🍴 Culinary use

Aji Charapita is especially valued in South American cuisine and can be used for:

• Salsa
• Hot sauces
• Marinades
• Fresh spicy garnishes
• Soups and stews
• Meat and vegetable dishes
• Drying
• Preparing hot seasonings
• Traditional Peruvian and Bolivian recipes

Its use in Criolla is particularly characteristic – a combination of red onion, lemon juice, salt, water and crushed Aji Charapita.

💡 Urban Botaniks tip: For Aji Charapita, an early start is particularly beneficial. Sow the seeds in warmth at 20–30°C and provide strong light after germination. Due to the huge number of small fruit, one well-developed plant can produce an impressive harvest, while growing in a pot makes it easy to move indoors in autumn and extend the season.