Which type of Peruvian chili is the most expensive, and how much does it cost per jin?

Peruvian chilies are collectively called Ají, and they come in many different shapes, sizes, colors and flavors. Ají has many varieties, brilliant colors and a pungent, spicy taste; it can be eaten fresh, cooked into chili sauce, made into hot sauce, or sun-dried into dried chilies and ground into chili powder, with a great many uses. Many famous Peruvian dishes, such as ceviche, are incomplete without Ají. Peruvian cuisine itself is actually not especially spicy; chilies are mostly used as a dipping sauce, and are occasionally put directly into dishes. Seasonings made from chilies are an indispensable part of Peruvian cooking.Which type of Peruvian chili is the most expensive? How much does it cost per jin?

1. Types of Peruvian chili

Peruvian chilies are divided into Aji Charapita, Ají Amarillo and Ají Panca.

1. Aji Charapita

Native to northern Peru, this is a wild chili that grows in the jungle, and only recently has it been used commercially. Its appearance is also quite unusual: a round little pellet, about the size of a pea.

2. Ají Amarillo

Ají Amarillo is the most commonly used and most popular of the Peruvian chilies. The famous Peruvian dish ceviche (Ceviche) uses this yellow chili. This chili is not only spicy but also has a fresh aroma, and combined with the sourness of lime it makes people especially hungry. This yellow chili can also be seen in other Peruvian dishes, such as spicy cheese with potatoes (Papa a la Huancaína) and seafood stew (Parihuela).

3. Ají Panca

Ají Panca is deep purple, almost black, and resembles an eggplant. Its taste is not especially spicy, but its texture is smooth and it has a fruity flavor. This chili has a long history in Peru, is very popular just like the yellow chili, and is especially suitable for making hot sauce or adding to stews; it also pairs exceptionally well with meat.

2. How much does the most expensive chili cost per jin?

The most expensive chili in the world is called “Aji Charapita”. It is said that this chili is priced at 35,000 US dollars per kilogram. This chili is a hot item among chili connoisseurs and five-star hotel chefs, and it is said to have a rich fruity flavor; it can be made into sauce and chili powder for use in various dishes.

So why is it so expensive? First of all, this wild chili is very hard to find in Peru, unless you are willing to buy some seeds online and grow it yourself. But on eBay there is only one seller, asking 25,000 US dollars per kilogram, which is the lowest cost price.

Such a rare “Aji Charapita” has also become one of the most expensive spices.