Aji Crystal
Capsicum baccatum — 5,000–15,000 SHU
Aji Crystal is a Chilean Baccatum producing elongated, thin-walled, pale crystal-white to cream-yellow fruits. Milder than most Baccatums, with a delicate, sweet fruity flavour and gentle heat. The pale colour and delicate flavour make it excellent in pale-coloured sauces, fresh eating, and pickling where colour matters. A refined and versatile variety from Chile.
🔥 Heat Scale
🌱 How to Grow Aji Crystal
6–8 hours daily. The pale colour remains pale regardless of sun — unlike purple varieties, more sun just improves flavour and yield.
20–30°C ideal. More adaptable than hotter Baccatums — performs well in a range of UK summer conditions.
Moderate and consistent. Allow the top few centimetres to dry between waterings. Thin-walled fruits can shrivel with inconsistent moisture.
12–15L pot. A medium-sized Baccatum — more compact than Aji Lemon Drop or Mango, making it manageable for most gardens.
Tomato feed from first flower. Weekly feeding supports good fruit development and the distinctive fruity Baccatum flavour.
Pick at pale cream-yellow for best flavour — do not wait for the fruits to turn deep yellow or orange, as the flavour becomes more intense and heat increases with full ripeness.
🩺 Common Problems
Cause: Fruits left on plant past optimal harvest stage — overripe
Fix: Harvest at pale cream-yellow stage. If you want the milder, sweetest flavour, pick before full colour change.
Cause: Inconsistent watering during fruit development causes shrinkage
Fix: Even, consistent moisture throughout the season. Mulch soil surface to retain moisture.
Cause: Baccatum characteristic — the family invests more in root development in year one
Fix: Year two plants fruit far more heavily. Overwintering is strongly recommended.
Cause: Common on the soft new growth and flower buds of Baccatum varieties
Fix: Neem oil spray weekly, water jet to remove established colonies
❓ Common Questions
What is unique about Aji Crystal?
The pale, almost translucent cream colour and mild, delicate flavour — unusual for Baccatums which are normally hotter. Extremely versatile where colour matters in cooking.
How does it taste?
Sweet, fruity, and mildly tangy — more flavour-forward than heat-forward. One of the most pleasant Baccatums for fresh eating.
What can I cook with it?
Excellent in pale sauces, white-coloured salsas, pickled as a condiment, stuffed with soft cheese, or eaten fresh. Great with fish and chicken.
Is it from Chile?
Yes — Chilean aji tradition with a long history. Aji Crystal is prized in Chile for its colour, mild flavour, and versatility across fresh and cooked applications.
