Aji White Lightning Bolt

Aji White Lightning Bolt is a Capsicum baccatum hybrid first discussed under that name on The Hot Pepper forum in December 2016. It began from seed received through a seed train by the grower Lovepeppers. The seed had originally been labelled Aji Penec, but the resulting plant produced unusual pods that did not match the expected type. The cross was later identified in the same thread as Aji Penec x Aji Melocoton, and seed from the plant was saved and shared forward for stabilising and wider grow-outs.

The fruit is the defining feature of the variety. Pods are long, twisted, irregular, and lightning-bolt-like, usually around 5 to 7.5 cm long, with some grow reports listing them closer to 7.5 to 10 cm. They start very pale green, turn off-white, and finish white to creamy white when fully ripe. Some pods can show purple undertones under strong light exposure, especially later in the season, but the mature identity of the variety is white to cream-white fruit.

The plant is a productive green-leaved baccatum type, commonly described as compact to medium-sized. Commercial listings place plant height around 61 to 91.5 cm, with some plants reaching 91.5 cm or more. It is noted for high yield, with one 11.5 L potted plant reported to produce more than 50 long pods in a season. Days to harvest are usually listed at around 85 to 90 days.

Aji White Lightning Bolt has medium baccatum-style heat and a bright fruity flavour. Heat listings commonly range from 20,000 to 50,000 SHU, with several sources placing it around 20,000 to 40,000 SHU or 20,000 to 30,000 SHU. The flavour is described as fruity, citrusy, crisp, tangy, and clean, without the soapy aftertaste sometimes found in certain pale-fruited baccatum types. The pods contain relatively few seeds and are suited to fresh salsa, hot sauce, marinades, pickling, powders, and any use where a pale, fruity, medium-hot baccatum chilli is useful.