Habanero pepper is the most important chili pepper in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. In 2008 it received the denomination of origin.
This chili is sold in national and international markets as well as in Japan, Germany and the United States among others.
The plant of habanero Chile is characterized by a cylindrical stem, its leaves are green to light green, the flowers are greenish yellow to white, its fruit is a hollow berry, little fleshy its shape is generally triangular and is colored green to light green in its immature state and in its maturity its color ranges from orange, red, yellow, purple and brown. The orange fruits are the most demanded in the market.
Habanero pepper is considered one of the hottest.
Its commercialization is generally fresh, it is used as raw material for various hot sauces either in powder, pasta, canned, among others.
In Yucatan it is consumed fresh and prepared in homemade sauces and consumed in various regional dishes.
Due to its different properties it is used not only in gastronomy, but also in medicine to prepare inns and ointments and in the industry to make some tear gas.
Text by Laura Villagran Photo: Adrian Lozano