Ají Limon or Lemon Drop chilli pepper is a medium hot chilli with a discernible citrus flavour.
Previously published in 2016. Updated with new content 2023.
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
What is Lemon Drop Pepper?
Also known as aji limon, lemon drop peppers ripen to a very bright yellow colour, as you can see from the image above. A member of baccatum annum, they grow to about 7 cm in length (about 3 inches).
And in case you’re wondering, in Spanish:
They are fairly hot peppers, measuring at anything from 40 000 – 60 000 Scoville units with a distinct fruity, citrus flavour. As a comparison, the humble jalapeño weighs in at an average of 5 000 units, although that can go up to 20 000.
Known in Peru as Qillu Uchu, these lemon drop peppers go so well with just about anything, with their strong lemony flavour.
How to use Ají Limon?
I love using them raw in salsas and ceviches, as I think their fruity flavour is savoured best that way. But I also make them into a paste too, yellow, just like the ají amarillo paste, which is traditionally made with ají amarillo peppers.
Lemon drop peppers are fantastic with seafood. Sprinkle some finely chopped ones over oysters or prawns (shrimp) next time you have them, and you’ll see what I mean.
They are also fantastic in hot sauces, especially if you love coloured coordinated ones. Imagine, mango and lemon drop hot sauce. Or pineapple. I’ll have to make some this year!
How to grow Lemon Drop Pepper in the UK
It really is super easy, and you don’t need a greenhouse to get lots of lemon drop peppers! The following instructions are for growing them outdoors. If you have a greenhouse or a conservatory you can start in February.
I’ve been growing them for almost a decade and they’ve proven to be very easy to grow, producing lots and lots of chillies. When grown outdoors, cool summers play a big part in how quickly they ripen.
They start off a dark, lime green, and as you can see, mature to a bright yellow.
This is how to grow the Lemon Drop Pepper
- Sow the seeds in March in a warm place.
- As soon as the seedlings appear, uncover them, and leave them somewhere bright, so they’ll get sturdy.
- Pot these little seedlings up in small 7cm-9cm (3″-4″)pots with compost meant for seedlings. Place them in a bright place. Get grow lights if you haven’t got a handy windowsill.
- Then, you just wait for them to outgrow their pots before repotting them. I usually do this twice more. When you repot the chilli plant, a lot of energy is spent on growing the roots, so planting up into a large pot too soon, can result in unhappy plants, as the much needed energy goes downwards instead of upwards.
- Plant out in May, when the evenings are not too cold.
And there you have it. I know you’ll love it as much as I do! Tag me @azlinbloor on Instagram if you grow them.
How to grow Lemon Drop Pepper (Aji Limon) in the UK
Equipment
- seed tray
- pots as needed
- saucers for the pots
Ingredients
- lemon drop pepper seeds
- compost for seeds
Instructions
- Sow the seeds in March in a warm place. (February if you have a greenhouse/conservatory). Water lightly with a fine spray or mist generously.
- As soon as the seedlings appear, uncover them, and leave them somewhere bright, so they’ll get sturdy. Water, if needed, as above. Don't overwater as they will become mouldy.
- Pot these little seedlings up in small 7cm-9cm (3″-4″) pots with compost meant for seedlings. Place them in a bright place. Get grow lights if you haven’t got a handy windowsill.
- Then, you just wait for them to outgrow their pots before repotting them. I usually do this twice more. When you repot the chilli plant, a lot of energy is spent on growing the roots, so planting up into a large pot too soon, can result in unhappy plants, as the much needed energy goes downwards instead of upwards.Water regularly.
- Plant out in May, when the evenings are not too cold anymore. Water and feed regularly. I love Chilli Focus, just do a Google search.