In the world of peppers, there is a great deal of debate over which type is the hottest. While there are many contenders for the title, it is generally agreed that the serrano pepper is hotter than the jalapeño.
The difference in heat between these two peppers is due to their different capsaicin levels. Capsaicin is the compound that gives peppers their heat, and serrano peppers have a higher concentration of it than jalapeños.
Of course, heat levels can vary depending on factors like growing conditions and individual plants, so there will always be some variation in how hot a particular pepper is. But in general, you can expect a serrano pepper to be significantly hotter than a jalapeño.
If you're looking for a truly fiery experience, try pairing serrano peppers with other spicy ingredients like habaneros or ghost peppers. Just be warned – this combination can be extremely spicy!