The serrano pepper is a member of the Capsicum Annuum family.
That plant originates from the mountainous regions of the Mexican state of Publa and also Hidalgo.
The pepper is named after the Sierras Mountains.
Serrano pepper plants grow to about a 36 inch. A single plant will usually yield dozens of peppers and these can be harvested green or red. Serrano peppers prefer to live in soils with a pH between 7.0 and 8.5.
Serrano's are not frost tolerant plants and do best in warm temperatures above 75 °F (24 °C) but can be over wintered in the UK.
The Scoville rating of the Serrano pepper is some ware around 10,000 to 25,000. They are usually eaten raw and have a bright and biting flavor that is notably hotter than the Jalapeno Pepper. Serrano peppers are also commonly used in for making 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 Mexicans produce about 180,000 tons of Serranos each year.
