Rocoto Aji Largo Red Chilli

The Aji Largo Rocoto is a distinguished member of an ancient lineage. It belongs to the Capsicum pubescens species, a group of peppers that were domesticated thousands of years ago in the mountainous regions of the Andes in South America. Rather than being a recent crossbreed by a single person, this pepper is a landrace variety, shaped by centuries of cultivation by Incan and pre-Incan farmers. Its name gives a clue to its nature: "Largo" is Spanish for "long," hinting at its shape compared to its rounder Rocoto relatives.

At first glance, an Aji Largo Rocoto might fool you. It looks more like a small, elongated bell pepper or a colourful, oversized jalapeño, often growing 7-10 cm long. It has thick, juicy walls and a beautiful, glossy skin that ripens from a deep green to a stunning, brilliant red. But don't be deceived by its charming, tomato-like appearance!

Take a bite, and you'll be greeted with an incredibly succulent and fruity flavour, often described as being similar to a crisp apple or a rich tomato, but with a complex, vegetable-like undertone. Then comes the heat! The Aji Largo Rocoto packs a significant punch, typically landing between 30,000 and 100,000 on the Scoville Heat Scale. It's a clean, sharp heat that warms you from the inside out.

Thanks to its thick, juicy flesh, this pepper is a culinary dream. It's traditionally used in its native Peru and Bolivia to make "Rocoto Relleno" (stuffed rocotos), a delicious dish where the peppers are filled with spiced meat and vegetables. It's also sensational for making vibrant, fruity hot sauces or salsas, and its substantial walls make it perfect for roasting, grilling, or dicing into stews.

The plant that produces these gems is as unique as the peppers themselves. As a Capsicum pubescens, the Aji Largo Rocoto plant has several tell-tale features that set it apart. The most charming characteristic is its fuzzy leaves and stems! The entire plant is covered in fine, soft hairs, giving it a slightly silvery appearance and a velvety feel. It's a robust and vining plant that can grow quite large, often reaching 1.5 to 2 meters in height if given support to climb. Its beautiful purple flowers are another dead giveaway of its species.

Here are a couple of fascinating details that make the Aji Largo Rocoto truly special. Firstly, unlike most chilli peppers that thrive in scorching heat, this Andean native actually prefers cooler, more temperate climates. It’s one of the few peppers that can happily withstand cooler nights, a trait developed in its high-altitude mountain home.

But the biggest surprise is hidden inside. Slice one open, and you won't find the typical pale seeds. The Aji Largo Rocoto, like all Capsicum pubescens, has jet-black seeds! This striking feature is a definitive characteristic of the species and a fun surprise for anyone unfamiliar with this amazing pepper. It's a cool-climate-loving, fuzzy, black-seeded wonder that brings a piece of ancient history and a wave of juicy heat to your garden and your plate.

All plants are grown on our farm in Norfolk, UK and are grown in an open pollinated area.