Aji
Capsicum baccatum L.
Capsicum baccatum, known as ají, is a chili pepper species within the Solanaceae family. It is one of the five domesticated Capsicum species and is characterized by its pungent fruit, which measures 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville heat units. The species was first described in 1767 by Linnaeus.
Description
Capsicum baccatum is widely distributed across regions including Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and other parts of the Americas and Africa. Common names include 'ají' in both the target language and English. The plant is part of the genus Capsicum and is valued for its spicy fruit, which is used in various culinary applications. Its pungency level places it in the medium to hot range on the Scoville scale. The species has a long history of cultivation and use in traditional and modern cuisines.
Other common names
Ajilocoto
Distribution
BR · JM · AO · Socotá · Magdalena · Angola · Argentina Northeast · Argentina Northwest · Bermuda · Bolivia · Brazil Southeast · Brazil South · Brazil West-Central · Cape Verde · Cayman Is. · Chad · Colombia · Congo · Costa Rica · Cuba · Dominican Republic · Gulf of Guinea Is. · Haiti · Honduras · Jamaica · Leeward Is. · Mozambique · Paraguay · Peru · Puerto Rico
Synonyms
Capsicum annuum subsp. baccatumCapsicum annuum var. baccatumCapsicum cerasiformeCapsicum frutescens var. baccatumCapsicum fruticosumCapsicum microcarpum var. glabrescensCapsicum microcarpum var. microcarpumCapsicum pulchellumCapsicum pulchellum