Serrano peppers - jalapenos smaller cousin.

Common Name and Species

Serrano means montane and serranos are highland cultivars. Serrano is a cultivated variety of Capsicum annuum.

Origin and History

The species Capsicum annuum originated in the Northwest Amazonian basin - Peru, Bolivia and Brazil. But serranos were first domesticated in Mesoamerica where serranos were highland cultivars of the Mesoamericans who gathered them on their way to ceremonial centers.

Description

Serrano means montane and serranos are a highland cultivar in the species Capsicum annuum native to Mexico and the American Southwest. Serranos are somewhat, at 25,000+ SHU, hotter and thinner fleshed than the jalapeno that it otherwise resembles. Ripe serranos (unlike jalapenos) can be strung on a string and dried.

Serranos come in several varities:
• Balin
• Tipico
• Largo - large, approximately double sized. Not readily available north of the Rio Grande

Commercial cultivation - Zones and Regions

Serranos are now grown commercially in Central America and the American Southwest.

How Used or Sample Recipe

Use serranos where you might otherwise use jalapenos with the following caveats:
• Serranos are hotter (about twice as hot)
• Serranos are thinner skinned so that they do not roast or pickle as well

Some like to use serranos in ceviches. Just be careful to remove the seeds. Serranos are that much hotter than jalapenos.

Additional Resources

For additional information
• about serranos including medicinal uses and a list of reference materials
• about chile peppers in the kitchen
• Check it all out in Chile Pepper Magazine.