So, here’s another great classic – and an essential part of Peruvian cuisine! Baccatum peppers traditionally only grow in South America, but they are actually the easiest and most successful plants for home growers and beginners in chili hobby.
Lemon Drop represents hot, non-sweet, slightly lemon-flavored types of baccatum peppers (as opposed to sweet, low-heat or only moderately hot “Aji” –type baccatum peppers). The plant is relatively compact and produces lots of bright yellow fruit even in non-ideal home conditions.
Grows well in pots. Lemon Drop is especially great for fish dishes! Also a very good, different tasting alternative to Cayenne and other Asian-type red hot peppers.
This bright yellow, citrus-flavored chile is also known as Kellu Uchu in Peru, where it originated. The pods grow to 2-3 inches long and ½ inch wide with wrinkled skin. Its unique lemon taste has caught the attention of those who love the citrus flavor of habanero but just can’t quite handle the intense heat. The Lemon Drop is a fantastic substitute. Although the heat is intense, it does not linger. Instead, it leaves behind the nice, lemony flavor.
The Lemon Drop can be used in just about any type of dish, especially soups and stir-fries, or the chiles can be dried to grind into a hot powdered spice. They are not often found in stores, but may sometimes be found at farmer’s markets. Many people also grow them at home just like me, often from seeds purchased on the internet.
WHAT IS AN HEIRLOOM? Heirloom plants are grown from seeds that have been handed down thru generations, saved from year to year, some varieties dating back hundreds of years. Many made the migration from Europe and the East with the immigrants coming to the USA. The seeds are never cross pollinated and so they remain true to their particular characteristics. Heirloom tomatoes come in all colors, shapes, and sizes ? Reds, Pinks, Yellows, Orange, White, Green, Striped, and Black. Ranging in sizes of cherry and grape to large grapefruit size, meaty, or juicy.
WHY HEIRLOOM? These tomatoes and other vegetable varieties are more natural, they are non GMO (genetically modified). They do not have as long of a shelf life as store bought tomatoes/vegetables, but that is what makes them special. They have a real fantastic tomato flavor not found in grocery store offerings. These tomatoes/vegetables are indeterminate (they grow all season, they flower all season and they produce tomatoes all season. They don?t stop until frost. Once heirloom tomatoes and vegetables are picked, they do not have a long shelf life as hybrids but they more than make up for any shortcomings in flavor. This is true for all heirloom vegetables.
Please see my other listings and my store for more great varieties and thank you!