| Chili Pepper | |
|---|---|
| |
| Serrano pepper | |
| Scoville Scale | 10,000 to 23,000 |
| Color | Green, Red |
| Shape | Oblong |
The serrano pepper (Capsicum annuum) is a type of chili pepper that originated in the mountainous regions of the Mexican states of Puebla and Hidalgo. The name of the pepper is a reference to the mountains (sierras) of these regions.
Serrano plant[]
Mature serrano pepper plants reach a height of 1.5 to 5.0 ft tall. Each plant can hold up to 50 pepper pods. The fruit can be harvested while they are green or ripe. Unripe serrano peppers are green, but the color at maturity varies. Common colors are green, red, brown, orange, or yellow. Serrano peppers do better in soils with a pH between 7.0 and 8.5 and in warm temperatures above 75°F (24°C); they are not frost tolerant.
Serrano fruit[]
The Scoville rating of the serrano pepper is 10,000 to 25,000.> They are typically eaten raw or pickled and have a bright, biting, and spicy flavor that is notably and surprisingly hotter than the jalapeño pepper. Serrano peppers are also commonly used in making pico de gallo, and salsa, as the chili is particularly fleshy compared to others, making it ideal for such dishes.
It is one of the most used chili peppers in Mexican cuisine. The Mexican states of Veracruz, Sinaloa, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas produce about 180,000 tons of serranos each year.
Close-up of unripe serrano peppers
See also[]
- List of Capsicum cultivars
- Pickled pepper