How to Cook with Aji Amarillo: Peru’s Golden Chili Now Available in Estonia

If you're in Estonia, Latvia, or Lithuania and love discovering new ingredients, Aji Amarillo is a flavour you need to know. Known as the soul of Peruvian cuisine, Aji Amarillo brings colour, heat, and a fruity punch to every dish it touches.

At La Tienda, you can now find Aji Amarillo in two forms — dried and paste — both imported directly from Latin America. In this post, we’ll show you what it is, how to use it, and what makes it so unique.

🔎 What Is Aji Amarillo?

Aji Amarillo means “yellow chili pepper” in Spanish, but it’s more orange than yellow when ripe. It has a medium heat level, a fruity and slightly floral aroma, and a signature tangy flavour that sets Peruvian cuisine apart.

It is a must-have ingredient in dishes like:

• Ají de Gallina (creamy chicken with chili and cheese)

• Causa Limeña (layered mashed potatoes with filling)

• Papa a la Huancaína (potatoes with cheesy chili sauce)

• Ceviches, stir-fries, soups, and stews

🛒 Aji Amarillo Products Available in Estonia

At La Tienda, we offer two high-quality versions of Aji Amarillo:

✅ Aji Amarillo Paste – 215g

• Ready-to-use yellow chili paste

• Perfect for creamy sauces, marinades, and hot dishes

• Easy to mix into recipes without prep

• Vegetarian

Yellow Pepper Paste (Aji Amarillo)

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✅ Aji Seco Amarillo – 100g

• Whole dried yellow peppers

• Needs to be rehydrated before use

• Ideal for traditional homemade sauces or blending with onion, garlic and oil

• Stronger, more concentrated flavour

Aji seco Amarillo Intertropico 100 g

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Aji Amarillo Paste

How to Use Aji Amarillo Paste in Your Cooking

The Coexito paste version is great when you want quick flavour without fuss. Here are some ideas on how to use it:

• Add 1 tsp to your scrambled eggs or mashed potatoes for a spicy twist

• Mix with mayo or sour cream to create a spicy dip

• Add to soup bases or sauces for extra depth

• Use in salad dressings or marinades for chicken or fish

• Stir into rice or quinoa dishes

How to Use Dried Aji Amarillo (Aji Seco)

Dried Aji Amarillo

The dried Intertropico peppers offer a bolder, smokier version of the chili.

Steps to use:

1. Soak the dried peppers in hot water for 20–30 minutes

2. Remove stems and seeds

3. Blend with onion, garlic, and olive oil to make a paste or sauce

4. Add to your favourite Peruvian or fusion dishes

Tip: You can store the rehydrated paste in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to a week.

🤔 Paste vs. Dried Aji – Which One Should You Choose?

Feature	Aji Amarillo Paste	Aji Amarillo Dried
Convenience	Ready to use	Needs soaking & blending
Flavour intensity	Mild to medium	Medium to strong, richer
Best for	Quick recipes, dips, and sauces	Traditional sauces, marinades
Shelf life (opened)	Refrigerate after opening	Long-lasting when dry

Both are great options — choose based on your recipe and how much prep time you have.

🧠 Common Questions

Where can I buy Aji Amarillo in Estonia?

At La Tienda, we stock both dried and paste versions — delivered locally.

Is Aji Amarillo very spicy?

It has medium heat — more than a bell pepper, less than a jalapeño. It adds flavour more than fire.

Can I use feta or local cheese in Peruvian recipes like Ají de Gallina?

Yes! Feta or brinza are good substitutes for Peruvian queso fresco in Estonia or Latvia.

🌎 Discover Peruvian Flavours in Northern Europe

Whether you're Peruvian and living abroad or simply curious about Latin cuisine, Aji Amarillo is a fantastic place to start. It adds personality to your cooking — a balance of spice, brightness, and boldness.

Ready to try it? Order your Aji Amarillo Paste or Dried Peppers today from La Tienda and bring a taste of Peru to your Baltic kitchen.

Thanks for reading! Want to explore more Latin ingredients? Browse our full collection of authentic flavours from Colombia, Venezuela, Peru and beyond.