Ají Cito

Aji Cito is a Capsicum baccatum chilli from Peru and is widely described as one of the hottest peppers within the baccatum species. Heat is commonly reported around 100000 SHU, with some sources citing figures up to approximately 108000 SHU. Reported values come from grower and institutional references rather than widely published detailed laboratory reports.

Pods are pointed and tapered, typically about 5.0 cm long and approximately 1.0 cm wide. Fruit ripen from green to a yellow-orange colour at maturity. Plants are described as vigorous and productive, often growing over 100.0 cm tall and developing broad branching under favourable conditions.

Flavour descriptions from sellers and growers note citrus characteristics with a sharp, fiery heat. Some references mention a slightly bean-like undertone typical of certain baccatum types. These descriptions are anecdotal and based on grower experience rather than formal sensory analysis.

Aji Cito is often referenced in pepper lists as holding unusually high heat for Capsicum baccatum, and it is sometimes cited as among the hottest measured within the species. However, detailed published testing documentation such as exact methodology and year is not consistently provided in available sources.

Historical and cultural documentation specific to Aji Cito beyond its identification as a Peruvian aji type is limited in accessible records.