Ají dulce, also known as ají cachucha, quechucha, ajicito, or ají gustoso throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, is a variety of sweet perennial chili pepper.
Native to the Yucatán Peninsula of Central America and the Caribbean islands, ají dulce is most widely used in Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela.
It refers to a specific native variety of Capsicum chinense related to the habanero, but with a much milder heat and a smoky, aromatic flavor.
In English-speaking Caribbean regions, ají dulce is often called seasoning pepper and is essential to many traditional dishes.
The Meaning of Ají Dulce Throughout Latin America
Throughout Latin America, ají means “chili pepper,” and dulce means “sweet.”
- Cachucha means “cap,” referring to the pepper’s hat-like shape
- Gustoso translates to “tasty chili pepper”
- Ajicito is the diminutive form, meaning “little chili pepper”
The bottom line: ají dulce is a sweet chili pepper with very mild heat.
What Ají Dulce Peppers Look Like
Ají dulce peppers vary in appearance depending on climate, soil, and growing region.
Pods can be squat, wrinkled, and hat-shaped, or oblong to round, averaging 2–4 inches long and ½–3 inches wide.
When young, the peppers range from light to dark green. As they mature, they transition to orange-yellow and then red.
The flesh beneath the skin mirrors the exterior color, and the peppers contain flat, round, cream-colored seeds.
Ají dulce peppers are available year-round, with peak season from summer through fall.
How To Use Ají Dulce Peppers
Ají dulce peppers are aromatic with a sweet, fruity, and smoky flavor and very mild heat.
They can be used both raw and cooked, including sautéing, roasting, and stewing.
They are most commonly chopped and used in sofrito, a savory base made from peppers, onions, garlic, tomatoes, and herbs.
Sofrito forms the foundation of many Caribbean and Latin American dishes.
Ají dulce peppers are also used to flavor:
- Sautéed vegetables
- Salads
- Meat dishes
- Stews and soups
- Rice and bean dishes
Because they are mild, they work well in salsas, herbal vinegars, sauces, and paprika blends.
They pair especially well with potatoes, lentils, olives, and herbs like cilantro, oregano, parsley, and rosemary.
For more ingredient context, explore our guide on cooking with chili peppers.
Scrambled Eggs With Ají Dulce Peppers
Ají dulce peppers also elevate simple scrambled eggs.
They pair well with smoked Gouda cheese, bacon, shallots, bell peppers, and Anaheim chilies.
For a complete breakfast dish that highlights their mild, sweet flavor, try our Scrambled Omelet With Sweet Aji Peppers & Sun-Dried Tomatoes, which brings together eggs, peppers, and savory depth in one simple preparation.
It was also one of the most viewed Cook Plate Fork posts of 2025, reflecting readers’ interest in understanding ingredients more deeply.
Link “most viewed Cook Plate Fork posts of 2025”
Where To Find Aji Dulces
Ají dulce peppers are available year-round, with peak availability in summer and fall.
If you can’t find them at your local grocery store, check Hispanic markets or farmers markets during the warmer months.
For home gardeners, seeds are available online through Etsy, eBay, and Amazon.
Freshly harvested ají dulce peppers will keep up to one week when stored in a paper bag in the refrigerator.
For broader storage guidance across pantry and produce items, see our guide to Foods That Don’t Need Refrigeration: A Complete Guide.
Looking for more inspiration? Browse the recipe collection to find your next favorite recipe.
More Deliciously Yummy Recipes
- Apple Cinnamon Upside Down Cake: A Seasonal Delight
- Chicken Sausage & Tortellini Soup Recipe – Easy Italian Soup
- The Sweet and Nutty Delight: Honey Roasted Nuts
- Orange Cranberry Cupcakes
- Mango Coconut Rice Pudding
Please Share With Your Social Network:
Discover more from Cook Plate Fork
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.