Aji Criolla Sella Chilli Seeds – Cultivate 100% Luminous, Citrusy Baccatum Delight!

🌶️ Aji Criolla Sella Chilli Seeds – Cultivate 100% Luminous, Citrusy Baccatum Delight!

Add a burst of Peruvian sunshine to your garden with Aji Criolla Sella, an heirloom Capsicum baccatum variety celebrating stunning flavor, vibrant color, and reliable growth across climates.

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🌱 Variety

Native to the Bolivian–Peruvian Andes, Aji Criolla Sella—often called “Criolla Sella”—is a prized heirloom belonging to the so called Aji family. It showcases golden-orange, 5cm slender pods that are exceptionally productive and flavorful.

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🔬 Species

This cultivar is part of Capsicum baccatum, one of the five domesticated chili species. Baccatums are lauded for fruity, citrus-forward flavor notes, thin pod walls, and reliable yields—traits that make it both tasty and garden-friendly. Other great examples of Baccatum are Aji Amarillo and Lemondrop

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🌍 Origin

Aji Criolla Sella emerged in the Andean regions of Bolivia and Peru, where farmers have selected it over centuries. It thrives in high-altitude, temperate climates and is valued for its flavor consistency and early maturation .

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🧬 Hybridizer (if applicable)

There is no formal hybridizer—this is a true open-pollinated landrace. Farmers preserved its characteristics through seed-saving practices. Stability across generations ensures that color, flavor, and fruit production remain reliable.

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🎯 Description

Plants are compact and bushy—about 30–45 cm tall—and yield bountifully. Pods are lean, conical, and 5–7 cm long, ripening from lime-green to vivid yellow-orange. Their walls are thin yet crisp, delivering fruity, citrusy flavors reminiscent of orange peel, followed by a mild, warm glow (pepperdiaries.com).

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🌿 Plant Size

These baccatum plants grow into dense bushes around 30–45 cm (12–18 in) wide and tall. Their compact stature makes them ideal for raised beds, containers, or mixed garden borders. Often, gardeners note how heavily they fruit even in cooler zones .

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🌡️ Pungency

Classified as Medium to Hot, Criolla Sella rates around 25,000–30,000 SHU, making for controlled but pleasing heat. It’s noticeably more intense than jalapeño—perfect for those wanting a kick without overpowering flavor (specialtyproduce.com).

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🌱 Grow Difficulty

This variety is considered easy to grow, even in cooler climates:

1. Germination: 7–14 days, occasionally up to 20, in warm, consistently moist conditions.
2. Transplant: Move seedlings outdoors after frost passes, into full sun and fertile, well-draining soil.
3. Care: Regular watering and monthly feeding support bushy growth and fruiting.
4. Support: Though self-supporting, minimal staking helps in windy areas.
5. Cool Climate Adaptation: Noted for joyfully handling cooler temperatures and thriving even in greenhouse or maritime environments.

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⏳ Days to Germination

You can expect sprouting within 7–14 days, with seeds occasionally taking up to 20 days in less ideal conditions .

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🌾 Days to Harvest After Transplant

Pods mature in just 90–120 days after transplant. In warmer zones, they may ripen by 90 days; in cooler areas, 110–120 days is typical.

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🍽️ Culinary Uses

Aji Criolla Sella is a culinary gem with versatile uses:

• Fresh salsas: Dice the sweet-citrus pods to brighten your salsa with color and heat.
• Fermented sauces: Ideal for hot pepper mash or ajo-style ferment blends.
• Pickles & condiments: Its thin skin preserves crunch and color beautifully.
• Dried & powder: Perfect for seasoning blends or homemade chili powders.
• Infused oils: Their aroma and moderate heat excel in infused oils for drizzling on eggs or pasta.
• Grilled and roasted: Pods go soft and sweet with gentle char—excellent in stir-fries or grilled meats.

Peruvian chefs and home cooks alike prize Criolla Sella’s citrus depth, mentioning flavors that dance between orange peel and tropical fruit (specialtyproduce.com, pepperdiaries.com).

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🌟 Why Grow Aji Criolla Sella?

• Outstanding flavor: Fruity, citrusy, and balanced with mild heat
• Garden-friendly: Compact, prolific, and adaptable across climates
• Stable heirloom line: Reliable results from saved seeds
• Dual use: Ornamental beauty and kitchen-ready utility
• Fast maturity: Harvest-ready within 90–120 days

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🚀 Plant the Sunshine of the Andes!

Transform your garden and kitchen with Aji Criolla Sella Chilli Seeds. These cheerful yellow-hot peppers thrive with minimal fuss and elevate every dish they touch. Ready for peppers that pop with color, flavor, and fun? Then this is your seed.