Ají Panca Paste

Ají panca paste is a thick, brick-red chili paste made from Peruvian panca peppers. It tastes mild and fruity with gentle smokiness and low heat, blending smoothly into marinades, stews, and sauces. The paste spreads easily and dissolves into oil, delivering color and depth without sharp chile bite; sold in jars or pouches, sometimes labeled pasta de ají panca.\n\nRooted in Peru, it anchors coastal and Andean cooking, flavoring dishes like anticuchos, adobos, and seco. Commercial production typically grinds sun-dried panca chiles with salt, oil, and acid, and exports have popularized the paste across Latin American markets and beyond.