Aji Lemon Drop Hot Pepper 10 Seeds per order.
If you're a fan of both zesty citrus and a bit of peppery kick, you definitely need to check out the lemon drop pepper. It might be a bit tricky to find, but this chili, also known as ají limon, is becoming more popular for both eating and as a decorative pepper because of its bright golden-yellow hue when it ripens. The heat level is pretty decent, ranging from 15,000 to 30,000 Scoville heat units, so it packs a punch without being too overwhelming. This makes it an ideal choice for adding some spice to your salsas and homemade hot sauces that have a citrus twist. Plus, in its home country of Peru, it's a beloved ingredient for adding a tangy flavor to various dishes and snacks.
Hotter than most folks might think when they hear the name. Sure, people might expect tangy, but spicy?
But this chili packs a surprising medium-heat kick, sitting somewhere between a hotter serrano chili and a milder cayenne or tabasco pepper. According to our PepperScale reference, a lemon drop can be anywhere from two to twelve times spicier than a jalapeño. For us, it hits that sweet spot of spicy, hot enough for spicy food lovers and adventurous eaters to enjoy, but not so intense that it drowns out the other flavors in a dish.
The heat hits quickly – it doesn’t build up and linger like some other hot peppers on the Scoville scale. Plus, there’s a really unexpected citrusy tang that comes with it.
Scoville heat units (SHU): 15,000 – 30,000 SHU
Average heat: 22,500 SHU
Origin: Peru
Capsicum species: Baccatum
Jalapeño comparison: 2 to 12 times hotter
Usage: Culinary
Size: About 2 to 3 inches long, tapered
Taste: Sweet, fruity, citrusy
To achieve the best results with your plants, make sure to create the right conditions for them. I've noticed that focusing on soil and sunlight really impacts the final yield.
Sunlight: They require full sun, which means they should get at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day.
Soil: It's essential to have well-draining, fertile soil. A sandy loam enriched with plenty of compost is perfect. If you're using pots, a good-quality potting mix is just right.
Water: Keep the soil evenly moist but avoid making it waterlogged. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Temperature: They do best in warm weather, with ideal daytime temperatures ranging from 70-85°F (21-29°C). Make sure to shield them from frost.
Container Size: If you're growing in containers, opt for a pot that's at least 5 gallons in size to allow the root system enough room to grow. These plants can become quite large and bushy.
Awesome ways to use them include:
Salsas and Sauces: They shine as a key ingredient in fresh salsas and, naturally, in hot sauces.
Marinades: Let their flavor soak into marinades for grilled chicken or fish.
Stir-fries: Toss in a few sliced peppers near the end of cooking for an exciting burst of heat and taste.
Infused Vinegar or Oil: Their zesty flavor creates a tasty, spicy-citrus infusion.
Cocktails: A muddled slice of Lemon Drop can give a surprising and enjoyable kick to a spicy margarita or gin and tonic.
How do you whip up some Lemon Drop hot sauce?
Making your own Lemon Drop hot sauce is super easy and really rewarding. The bright yellow hue is eye-catching. Here’s a straightforward recipe to kick things off.
Get the Peppers Ready: Grab around 20-25 fresh Lemon Drop peppers. Cut off the stems. You can keep the seeds in for more heat or take them out for a milder flavor. Chop them roughly.
Sauté the Aromatics: In a saucepan, sauté one chopped small onion and 3-4 cloves of garlic in a bit of olive oil until they soften up.
Mix and Simmer: Toss the chopped peppers into the pot along with 1 cup of white vinegar and 1/2 cup of water. You can also throw in a chopped carrot for some sweetness and color, or a piece of ginger for an extra kick. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes until everything is nice and tender.
Blend It Up: Let the mixture cool down a bit, then pour it into a blender. Blend on high until it’s completely smooth. Just be cautious when opening the blender, as the fumes can be pretty strong.
Bottle It and Store: Pour the sauce into sterilized bottles or jars. It’ll last in the fridge for several months. The flavor actually gets better after a week or two.
Can you dry Lemon Drop peppers to create a powder?
Definitely! Lemon Drop peppers dry really well because of their thin walls. Drying them intensifies their flavor, giving you a spicy, super citrusy powder. It’s awesome as a finishing touch on roasted veggies, popcorn, or grilled seafood.
You can dry them using a dehydrator, hanging them in a dry, well-ventilated spot, or by laying them on a baking sheet in an oven set to the lowest temperature with the door slightly open. Once they’re brittle, just grind them up in a spice grinder or a coffee grinder that you use for spices.
