{"product_id":"rare-chillies-of-peru-chilli-seed-collection","title":"Rare Chillies of Peru Chilli Seed Collection","description":"\u003ch2\u003eRare Chillies of Peru Chilli Seed Collection\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e7 seed packets\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExplore the distinctive colours and flavours of Peruvian ají chillies. This collection brings together seven unusual varieties ranging from small, fruity chillies for fresh salsa to rich, dark chillies traditionally dried and made into pastes and sauces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes one packet each of:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rasmussengardens.co.nz\/products\/aji-amarillo-chilli-seeds-10-seeds\"\u003e‘Aji Amarillo’\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rasmussengardens.co.nz\/products\/aji-berry-amarillo-long-chilli-seeds-10-seeds\"\u003e‘Aji Berry Amarillo Long’\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rasmussengardens.co.nz\/products\/aji-charapita-peach-chilli-seeds-10-seeds\"\u003e‘Aji Charapita Peach’\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rasmussengardens.co.nz\/products\/aji-lemon-chilli-seeds-10-seeds\"\u003e‘Aji Lemon’\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rasmussengardens.co.nz\/products\/aji-norteno-chilli-seeds-10-seeds\"\u003e‘Aji Norteno’\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rasmussengardens.co.nz\/products\/aji-panca-chilli-seeds-10-seeds\"\u003e‘Aji Panca’\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rasmussengardens.co.nz\/products\/aji-strawberry-drop-chilli-seeds-10-seeds\"\u003e‘Aji Strawberry Drop’\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUse the chillies fresh in salsa and seafood dishes, blend them into colourful sauces or allow them to ripen fully for drying and making traditional chilli pastes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eA little history\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAjí is a widely used name for chilli peppers in Peru and other parts of South America. Chillies have been cultivated in the region for thousands of years and remain an essential part of Peruvian cooking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e‘Aji Amarillo’, meaning yellow chilli, is one of the best-known chillies in Peru. Despite its name, the pods usually ripen to a rich orange-yellow and are valued for their bright, fruity flavour and lively heat. They are commonly made into a smooth paste used in sauces, marinades, stews and traditional dishes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e‘Aji Panca’ develops a much darker colour and is generally dried before being made into paste. It has a deep, fruity and lightly smoky character with gentler heat than many other Peruvian chillies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe remaining varieties show the diversity found among Peruvian ají chillies, from the tiny, intensely flavoured ‘Aji Charapita Peach’ to the citrus notes of ‘Aji Lemon’ and the fruity red pods of ‘Aji Norteno’ and ‘Aji Strawberry Drop’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFresh ají amarillo sauce\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMakes approximately 250 ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIngredients:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e150 g ripe ‘Aji Amarillo’ chillies\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e1 small garlic clove\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e30 ml lime juice\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e30 ml neutral cooking oil\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e30–60 ml water, as needed\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e2 g salt, or to taste\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethod:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003col\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eRemove the stalks from the chillies. Split them lengthways and remove the seeds and inner membranes for a milder sauce.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ePlace the chillies, garlic, lime juice, oil and salt in a blender or food processor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eBlend until smooth, adding the water a little at a time until the sauce reaches your preferred consistency.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eTaste and adjust the lime juice and salt if required.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eTransfer to a clean container and refrigerate until needed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWear gloves when handling hot chillies if you have sensitive skin, and avoid touching your eyes or face.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUse the sauce with grilled meat, fish, roasted vegetables, potatoes or rice. It can also be stirred through mayonnaise, yoghurt or sour cream to make a milder creamy sauce.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eUsing the varieties\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rasmussengardens.co.nz\/products\/aji-amarillo-chilli-seeds-10-seeds\"\u003e‘Aji Amarillo’\u003c\/a\u003e produces long orange-yellow pods with a sweet, fruity flavour and lively heat. Use it fresh or cooked in sauces, marinades and chilli paste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rasmussengardens.co.nz\/products\/aji-berry-amarillo-long-chilli-seeds-10-seeds\"\u003e‘Aji Berry Amarillo Long’\u003c\/a\u003e produces slender yellow pods with fruity, citrus and lightly floral notes. It is well suited to fresh salsa, drying and bright yellow sauces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rasmussengardens.co.nz\/products\/aji-charapita-peach-chilli-seeds-10-seeds\"\u003e‘Aji Charapita Peach’\u003c\/a\u003e produces large numbers of tiny round peach-coloured chillies. Use the pods sparingly in fresh salsa, sauces or dried chilli powder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rasmussengardens.co.nz\/products\/aji-lemon-chilli-seeds-10-seeds\"\u003e‘Aji Lemon’\u003c\/a\u003e has a strong citrus character that works particularly well in fresh salsa, seafood dishes and light sauces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rasmussengardens.co.nz\/products\/aji-norteno-chilli-seeds-10-seeds\"\u003e‘Aji Norteno’\u003c\/a\u003e produces medium-sized red pods with fruity flavour and moderate heat. It is traditionally paired with fish and is also useful for sauces, pastes and drying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rasmussengardens.co.nz\/products\/aji-panca-chilli-seeds-10-seeds\"\u003e‘Aji Panca’\u003c\/a\u003e is best allowed to ripen fully to its dark red-brown colour. Dry the pods, lightly toast them and soak them in warm water before blending into a rich paste for sauces, marinades and stews.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rasmussengardens.co.nz\/products\/aji-strawberry-drop-chilli-seeds-10-seeds\"\u003e‘Aji Strawberry Drop’\u003c\/a\u003e produces long red pods with sweet, tangy and fruity flavour. Use it fresh, dried or blended into red chilli sauces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowing Peruvian ají chillies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor sowing and germination instructions, see our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rasmussengardens.co.nz\/blogs\/news\/tomato-pepper-seed-germination-guide\"\u003eTomato \u0026amp; Pepper Seed Germination Guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor guidance on planting, feeding, supporting and caring for your plants throughout the season, see our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rasmussengardens.co.nz\/blogs\/news\/the-ultimate-chilli-pepper-tomato-growing-guide\"\u003eUltimate Chilli, Pepper \u0026amp; Tomato Growing Guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlant chillies in a warm, sunny and sheltered position after the risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. Allow approximately 40–50 cm between plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMany Peruvian ají varieties develop into tall, spreading plants. ‘Aji Amarillo’, ‘Aji Berry Amarillo Long’, ‘Aji Lemon’ and ‘Aji Norteno’ may grow more than 1 m tall and benefit from staking or another form of support.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThese varieties generally require a long growing season. Start seeds early and provide warmth during germination to give the plants enough time to mature and ripen their fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHarvest chillies once they have developed their mature colour for the fullest sweetness and flavour. ‘Aji Amarillo’ should be picked orange-yellow, while ‘Aji Norteno’ and ‘Aji Strawberry Drop’ ripen red. Allow ‘Aji Panca’ to develop its dark red-brown colour before harvesting it for drying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eChillies intended for drying should be fully ripe and free from damage. Dry them thoroughly before storing them in an airtight container.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Rasmussen Gardens","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58283757535535,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0928\/4098\/4879\/files\/Rare_Chillies_of_Peru_Chilli_Seed_Collection.png?v=1785800264","url":"https:\/\/rasmussengardens.co.nz\/products\/rare-chillies-of-peru-chilli-seed-collection","provider":"Rasmussen Gardens","version":"1.0","type":"link"}