The most expensive pepper per pound in the world, the Aji Charapita pepper is a very popular pepper due to its delicious flavor and heat level. Although it is tiny, the Aji Charapita pepper has a delicious fruity flavor that adds a nice tropical touch to salsas and sauces. The heat level is significant, but not overbearing. Originally grown in northern Peru as a wild pepper, the Aji Charapita pepper’s size is similar to that of the Pequin pepper. The Aji Charapita pepper averages about 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), which puts it in line with the Cayenne pepper and Aji Lemon pepper. The fruity flavor is similar to that of a Habanero, but Aji Charapita peppers are not nearly as spicy. It’s one of the few peppers that have a fruity spice but not an overpowering heat level. Aji Charapita peppers grow on high yielding plants that are small and bushy.
The peppers, which are the size of small marbles, start off green and mature to orange. For those looking for a different orange pepper with a higher heat rating Scoville Scale, the Honey Fire Habanero, Orange Habanero, and Bulgarian Carrot are all popular peppers.
