Ata Ijasi

Ata Ijosi

The Ata Ijosi is a bird pepper that hails from the Jos area of Nigeria. It’s a Capsicum frutescens variety, which sets it apart from many other peppers you might be familiar with – typically annuum, chinense, and baccatum.  The fruit are small and softer, as is typical for a frutescens.  Think about the texture of a tabasco pepper, a larger example of a frutescens.

Bird peppers are generally known for their heat, the Ata Ijosi is no different.  Based on our rough estimate, this pepper is around 80,000 SHU. It’s got a heat level that’s intriguing but not overwhelming, making it a great choice for those who like their peppers to have a bit of a kick.

I do not have any specific Nigerian Ata Ijosi recipes, but bird peppers are generally versatile. They’re good for hot sauces, salsas, and can even be dried to make your own ground pepper.

How to Grow It

This pepper likes full sun and will grow to a height of 24-36 inches. When planting, space the plants about 18-24 inches apart. It’s an easy grower and doesn’t ask for much, just the basics like well-drained soil.