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/> {{condiment-stub}} {{Solanales-stub}} {{Peru-stub}} [[Category:Chili peppers|Aji pepper]] [[de:Capsicum baccatum]] [[es:Capsicum baccatum]] [[fr:Capsicum baccatum]] [[it:Capsicum baccatum]] [[hu:Bogyós paprika]] [[nl:Capsicum baccatum]] [[ja:アヒ・アマリージョ]] [[no:Aji]] [[pt:Pimenta calabresa]] [[sv:Bärpeppar]]