Aji Charapita - (Capsicum chinense)

Everyone should grow this beautiful and one of a kind pepper in their garden!

This pepper was once the most expensive in the world!  The north Peruvian jungle native is a wild bushy plant which produces hundreds of hot, small (.25 inch), round Tepin-like peppers.  The Aji Charapita only recently became cultivated for commercial use.  The fruity flavor adds a nice tropical touch to salsas and sauces.  The Aji Charapita plant is wide and bushy, and from it, hundreds of these chilies can grow.  Not terribly hot, but once you bite in it hits you right away like a smack in the face.  Hard to believe such a tiny thing can pack such a quick punch.  The heat does subside quickly making you want to pop another.

Heat level:  50,000-100,000 (SHU) Scoville Heat Units – Very Hot.

Flavor:  Fruity and Citrusy.