Aji Jobito Sweet Pepper Seeds (Capsicum chinense)

Grow Aji Jobito, also called Aji Dulce Jobito, a Venezuelan sweet pepper prized for its rich aroma and mild, fruit-like flavor. Smooth, thick-walled pods ripen from light green to orange and bring a fragrant, savory note to soups, sofrito, stews, rice, eggs, and seafood.

At a glance

• Variety: Aji Jobito / Aji Dulce Jobito
• Botanical name: Capsicum chinense
• Origin: Venezuela
• Heat: Mild
• Fruit: Oval, about 4 cm long by 3 cm wide; ripens from light green to orange
• Plant: Tender annual, approximately 70 cm to 1 m tall
• Available sizes: 10, 30, 100, or 250 seeds

Start and grow

Sow seeds about ¼ inch deep in warm soil. Pepper seeds can take time to germinate, so start early and keep the seed-starting mix warm and evenly moist, not soggy. Transplant seedlings after frost danger has passed and gradually acclimate them to outdoor conditions.

Plant in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Space plants about 12–18 inches apart and water moderately, giving extra attention during dry periods. A layer of compost at planting can help get young plants established.

Harvest and enjoy

Pick pods green for a fresh, savory flavor, or let them ripen to orange for a fuller, sweeter aroma. In Venezuelan cooking, green fruit is used to flavor soups, while ripe Aji Jobito is a natural fit for sofrito and stews. Add it to rice, eggs, fish, and seafood dishes for fragrant pepper flavor without the intensity of a hot chili.