Aji Panca Chili Peppers

SCOVILLE HEAT UNITS: 500 SHU

The Panca chili (or Ají Panca as it’s known in South America), is a deep red to burgundy pepper, measuring 3-5 inches. It is the second most common pepper in Peru, and is grown near the coast. Similar in shape to the Ají Amarillo, it is less spicy and has a rather sweet, berry-like, and slightly smoky flavor.

The Ají Panca can be made into a paste or dried and minced to be used as a condiment. They can be found for sale on the internet in either form. Used in Peruvian cooking, the Panca is great for stews, sauces and fish dishes.

Learn more about aji chili peppers.

Other Varieties Aji Chili Peppers

There are many different strains of Peruvian aji peppers, but here are links to some of the most popular:

• Aji Chili Peppers Main Page
• Aji Amarillo
• Lemon Drop
• Peppadew
• Aji Fantasy
• Aji Limo
• Aji Pineapple
• Aji Panca
• Aji Cito
• Aji Habanero

Aji Pepper Recipes

Here are a number of recipes I have created that celebrate the heat and flavor of aji chili peppers.

• Fermented Aji-Garlic Hot Sauce
• Aji-Lime-Kiwi Sweet Pepper Jam
• Aji Picante Sauce
• Aji Pineapple Hot Sauce
• Pebre with Aji Chili Peppers