A South American pepper known for fruity and tropical notes with moderate heat is one spice company's top flavor for 2025. McCormick named aji amarillo as its 2025 Flavor of the Year, the company said ...

Ají amarillo is chili pepper native to South America and has vibrant fruit notes reminiscent of passion fruit or a mango, along with a moderate dash of heat similar to cayenne pepper.

Ají amarillo also lives up to its “yellow chili pepper” translation in English, because the spice has a distinctive hue that gives dishes and drinks an “aesthetic appeal,” she added.