Ají pepper
5724122
211026790
2008-05-08T13:38:26Z
189.39.44.116
Added Venezuela as a country that recognizes "Aji" as a generic pepper identifier.
{{Taxobox
| name = Ají pepper
| image = Pimiento campanilla.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = ''Capsicum baccatum'' fruits
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| subclassis = [[Asteridae]]
| ordo = [[Solanales]]
| familia = [[Solanaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Capsicum]]''
| species = '''''C. baccatum'''''
| binomial = ''Capsicum baccatum''
| binomial_authority = [[Nikolaus Joseph von Jacquin|Jacq.]]
}}
The '''ají pepper''', also known as '''Peruvian hot pepper''', is a unique species of [[chili pepper]], '''''Capsicum baccatum''''', containing several different breeds. The most common are simply differentiated by color, like "yellow Peruvian hot pepper" or ''ají amarillo''. These peppers have a distinctive, fruity flavor, and are commonly ground into colorful powders for use in cooking, each identified by its color. In [[Chile]], [[Ecuador]], [[Peru]], [[Colombia]], the [[Dominican Republic]], [[Venezuela]] and [[Puerto Rico]], the word ''ají'' refers to any chile or chile sauce.
== Characteristics ==
[[Image:Chili%28aj%C3%AD%29.jpg|thumb|left|140px|Ají Pepper. Moche Culture. [[Larco_Museum|Larco Museum Collection.]]]]
* Orange color when mature
* Size: from 10 to 15 [ [ cm ] ] of length and 2 to 3.5 cm wide, forms extended conic section.
* Used in Peruvian cuisine: "Papa a la Huancaína” (Potatoes with Huancaina sauce), "Causa Limeña" (Mashed potatoes and fish dish) , tamales, carapulcra (dried potato stew), tiradito (fresh fish marinade in aji pepper sauce with lemon), etc.
* The flowering and fruition must occur when the temperature fluctuates between 18 and 25 ºC; at greater temperatures the pepper becomes deformed and loses rigidity and shape.
==Other==
The [[Moche]] culture had a fascination with agriculture and represented fruits and vegetables in their art. Ají peppers were often depicted. <ref>Berrin, Katherine & Larco Museum. ''The Spirit of Ancient Peru:Treasures from the [[Larco_Museum|Museo Arqueológico Rafael Larco Herrera]].'' New York: [[Thames and Hudson]], 1997.</ref>
==External links==
*[http://www.perudepotusa.com/default.asp Peru Depot USA - Peruvian ingredients in the United States]
==References==
<references/>
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[[Category:Chili peppers|Aji pepper]]
[[de:Capsicum baccatum]]
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[[hu:Bogyós paprika]]
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[[ja:アヒ・アマリージョ]]
[[no:Aji]]
[[pt:Pimenta calabresa]]
[[sv:Bärpeppar]]