The Lemon Drop pepper or the Ají Limón[2] is a hot, citrus-like, lemon-flavored pepper which is a popular seasoning pepper in Peru, where it is known as qillu uchu. A member of the C. baccatum species, the lemon drop is a cone pepper that is around 60–80 mm (2.4–3.1 in) long and 12 mm (0.47 in) wide with some crinkling.[3] It is commonly mistaken for Ají Limo[4][5] which belongs to Capsicum chinense, ripens to red, and has differently coloured flowers.
Description
Blossom and buds
Plants of the lemon drop variety are typical representatives of the species Capsicum baccatum. In the first year they can reach a height of 1.5 to 2 m (4.9 to 6.6 ft). The plant grows upright and is highly branched. The leaves are dark green and relatively narrow, the petals are whitish - green and carry yellow - green spots on the base. Lemon drop is a high yielding chilli plant, in a year one plant can produce over 100 fruits. The time between fertilization of flowers and ripening of the fruit is about 80 days.[6]
Varieties
The lemon drop has been confused with ají limo, a different species (C. chinense)[7] has the following variants:[8]
Ají mochero: Characterized by its citrus scent and bright yellow color.[9]
^Dave DeWitt and Paul W. Bosland (2009). The Complete Pepper Book: A Gardener's Guide to Choosing, Growing, Preserving, and Cooking. Timber Press. ISBN978-0881929201.
^{{cite article|title=Introducing Peruvian Aji Chiles, Chile Pepper Institute, Volume VI, Number 3, Fall 1997.
