Lemon Drop Hot Pepper

Collected in one of the vibrant farmers markets in Lima, the seeds of this unusual hot pepper found their way into the hands of William Woys Weaver and the Roughwood Seed gardens. According to Weaver, the bright lemon yellow color and waxy citrus-like texture of this pepper, originally known as Aji Lima, inspired name changes from Lima, to Liman, to Lemon Drop. With exceptional flavor and cayenne-range heat, this pepper spices a dish without overwhelming it and makes a striking yellow hot sauce. Its habit is incredibly vigorous, forming big, tall, strongly upright plants that are naturally lush. Each plant tends to bear heavily (one plant is plenty for the home gardener!), its branches laden with dozens of small, waxy-skinned fruit that turn from light green in mid-season to golden yellow at ripeness. The flavor of each is exceptional: truly citrusy and suitable for spicing a dish without overwhelming it. If you like a bit of heat, one pepper is enough for a pot of chili; use more if you are a fiend Lemon Drop takes a few weeks longer to mature than your average garden pepper, but it's well worth the wait!