Lemon Drop Chili Pepper
Scoville Heat Units: 15,000-30,000 SHU
This bright yellow, citrus-flavored chile is also known as Kellu Uchu in Peru, where it originated. The pods grow to 2-3 inches long and ½ inch wide with wrinkled skin. Its unique lemon taste has caught the attention of those who love the citrus flavor of habanero but just can’t quite handle the intense heat. The Lemon Drop is a fantastic substitute. Although the heat is intense, it does not linger. Instead, it leaves behind the nice, lemony flavor.
The Lemon Drop can be used in just about any type of dish, especially soups and stir-fries, or the chiles can be dried to grind into a hot powdered spice. They are not often found in stores, but may sometimes be found at farmer’s markets. Many people also grow them at home, often from seeds purchased on the internet.
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I put up salsa with some of mine, with some pineapple. So delicious on the “white” meats; chicken, fish and pork. also freeze them whole to use throughout the year. Great in homemade bbq sauce too. Searching for some traditional Peruvian recipes, since that is the native habitat. Have fun experimenting!
Thank you, Jeanne!
I had a fabulous bush up here in Prescott. The taste is , well. OOH LA LA! I have so many other oeppers right now that I can’t use them up fresh (some are even fermenting with the others hoping to turn into hot sauce) that I’m hoping to dry some, but haven’t really been able to find much about that. Did you have any left over? If so, what did you do with them?
Knowing you I will finish by adding that I don’t have a dehydrator 🙂
Hey, Ted – I have so many peppers left over every year, and I cook with them constantly! Some ideas to use them up include making hot sauce, jelly/jam, chili paste, sauce, or you can just freeze them. I process some and freeze them in baggies or a freeze a chili paste. Or freeze them chopped or whole. I definitely dry them, so do recommend a dehydrator for making powders or just storing them in the pantry. Try pickling as well. So many ideas! Happy to help more!
I had a fantastic harvest this summer, with over 3 kg of chillie peppers.
I put some in the freezer, dried a few. I turned the remainder into two types of chillie jam one with onions and garlic the other with tomatoes and red peppers. Finally a date and apple chutney. Some of the ripe ones used in the jam were cleaned of seeds and these are drying so will have lots to sell next year.
I had a fantastic harvest this summer, with over 3 kg of chillie peppers.
I put some in the freezer, dried a few. I turned the remainder into two types of chillie jam one with onions and garlic the other with tomatoes and red peppers. Finally a date and apple chutney. Some of the ripe ones used in the jam were cleaned of seeds and these are drying so will have lots to sell next year. I forgot to metion that I pickled many in jars with some vinegar and a clove of garlic.
Great germination rate. Tried Lemon drop and 3other variaties , Lemon drop was the best , 80% germinated, 60% good plants. Just waiting to taste them ????????????????????
Barry, excellent. Yes I LOVE the Lemon Drop chili peppers. Great flavor and they’re very productive.
What type of grocery store might stock lemon drop peppers. Very interested but don’t know where to search. Thanks for any ideas!
REPLY: Bev, I find it best to order seeds or seedlings and grow them at home. — Mike from Chili Pepper Madness.