Serrano Pepper: Candle-flame shaped fruit are 2" long, and extremely hot. Popular in Mexico and a very hot chile called for in many recipes. Green, then red at full maturity. Borne on attractive 30 to 36 inch erect, branching plants. Eaten fresh green or red. Can be dried. Suitable for salsa and sauces.

HOT PEPPERS: When Wilbur Scoville first devised a means to test the heat of peppers, his hottest entry then came in at 20,000 units. Habanero and Thai chilies can go as high as 60,000. Compare that to the sweet bell pepper at zero. When hot peppers are consumed, capsaicinoids bind with pain receptors in the mouth and throat that are responsible for sensing heat. Once activated by the capsaicinoids, these receptors send a message to the brain that the person has consumed something hot. The brain responds to the burning sensation by raising the heart rate, increasing perspiration and release of endorphins. Hot peppers should be eaten with caution!