Hot peppers are an essential crop in many horticultural markets, particularly in Mexico. At CapGen Seeds, we have been developing one of our most complete ranges in this segment for years: hot pepper varieties for greenhouse and open-field production, selected and tested to meet the taste preferences and growing conditions of different production areas.
This is not simply a laboratory programme. It is the result of a plant breeding programme based on very specific grower needs: peppers with the pungency expected by the market, plants capable of performing throughout the entire production cycle and materials adapted to both protected and open-field cultivation. Below, we review the main hot pepper types in our portfolio and some of the varieties that represent them.
Table of Contents
CapGen Seeds hot pepper varieties at a glance
| Variety | Type | Approx. size | Key trait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plata | Serrano | 9–11 cm | Very thick flesh and strong pungency |
| Platino | Serrano | 13–15 cm | Very hot; vigorous plant and a reference in Mexico |
| Río Elota | Serrano | 11–13 cm | Firm, dark green fruit with intense pungency |
| Magnesio | Serrano | ~13 cm | Thick walls and good earliness |
| Cubilete | Serrano | 9–11 cm | Very thick flesh, early maturity (70–75 days) |
| Jalapeño 502 | Jalapeño | 13–15 cm | Uniform fruit, highly valued for flavour |
| Don Nacho | Jalapeño | Large | Straight fruit, thick walls and good shelf life |
| Litio | Jalapeño | — | Very thick flesh and good climatic adaptability |
| Bravo | Jalapeño | 8–10 cm | Green to red, very glossy and highly pungent |
| Selenio | Poblano | GG–G | Turns towards a chocolate tone at maturity |
| Galio | Poblano | Large | Large fruit size |
| Cobalto | Poblano | Large | Large size and thick flesh |
| Oro | Poblano | Large | Thick flesh and excellent flavour |
| Húngaro 029 | Hungarian | 20–25 cm | Canary yellow fruit and strong plant vigour |
| Xenón | Hungarian | 20–25 cm | Very hot flavour and thick flesh |
| Vigo | NAF | 18–20 cm (~90 g) | Cylindrical, green to red fruit; cold tolerant |
Fruit sizes are approximate and are based on commercial catalogue information. HR/IR resistance information and registration details for each material are specified in the corresponding validated technical sheet.
Serrano pepper varieties: the core of the range
The serrano pepper is a small-to-medium hot pepper, generally around 9–15 cm long, with thick flesh and pronounced pungency. It is one of the most recognisable pepper types in the Mexican market and also one of the segments where CapGen Seeds offers the broadest portfolio, covering different sizes, production cycles and crop-management requirements.
- Plata produces attractive, uniform green fruits measuring 9–11 cm, with very thick flesh and particularly pronounced pungency. The plant is semi-compact with short internodes and has shown good quality maintenance throughout the cycle.
- Platino produces slightly longer fruits, around 13–15 cm, with very high pungency. Its vigorous plant and strong root system make it one of CapGen Seeds’ reference serrano peppers for the Mexican market.
- Río Elota produces smooth-skinned, attractive dark green fruits measuring 11–13 cm, with thick flesh and intense pungency, on a compact and early plant.
- Magnesio offers medium-green fruits of approximately 13 cm with thick walls, good earliness and sustained productivity throughout the different production stages.
- Cubilete completes the serrano range with attractive green fruits measuring 9–11 cm, a closed internal cavity and very thick flesh. It also provides good postharvest performance, while its compact plant and strong root system reach an average maturity of around 70–75 days.
Jalapeño pepper varieties: flavour and shelf life
The jalapeño pepper is a fleshy hot pepper with moderate to high pungency and good postharvest performance, widely used both fresh and processed. It represents another major segment within the CapGen Seeds hot pepper portfolio.
- Jalapeño 502 produces uniform fruits measuring 13–15 cm throughout the cycle. Its flavour is highly valued by the market, while the vigorous and productive plant adapts to different production systems.
- Don Nacho stands out for its straight, large fruits with thick walls, pronounced pungency and good postharvest shelf life.
- Litio combines excellent shape and colour with very thick flesh and a hot flavour. Its plant adapts well to different climates while maintaining fruit size and quality throughout the cycle.
- Bravo is a jalapeño pepper with a strong, healthy and productive plant suitable for both greenhouse and open-field production. Trials have shown good productivity and stable performance across different production areas. Its uniform, highly glossy fruits turn from green to red, measure approximately 8–10 cm and offer strong pungency for markets seeking a more intense hot pepper profile. In trials conducted during the 2023 and 2024 seasons in Agadir, Morocco, Bravo showed good performance compared with the reference variety, with vigorous plants and good foliage coverage under the conditions of those trials.
Poblano peppers: size and versatility
The poblano pepper is a large pepper with a milder pungency profile and a strong connection to Mexican cuisine, including the traditional chile relleno. The CapGen Seeds range combines different plant and fruit profiles within this segment.
- Selenio produces dark green fruits that turn towards chocolate tones at maturity. Fruits are GG–G size, two-lobed, flattened and highly uniform, on an open plant with high production potential.
- Oro produces large, dark green fruits with thick flesh and excellent flavour on a robust, open plant with medium vigour.
- Galio and Cobalto offer medium-vigour plants, good foliage coverage and continuous production throughout the cycle, with Galio particularly notable for good-sized, flavoursome fruits.
Hungarian peppers and other hot pepper types
Hungarian-type peppers are long, relatively large hot peppers with variable pungency, appreciated for their colour and thick flesh. For growers and markets seeking different profiles, the CapGen Seeds portfolio also includes Hungarian and NAF types.
- Húngaro 029 produces 20–25 cm fruits with thick flesh and a canary-yellow colour, together with good postharvest life. Its upright, highly vigorous plant provides continuous production and adapts well to both arid and rainy areas.
- Xenón, also a Hungarian type, produces 20–25 cm fruits with very high pungency, thick flesh and good postharvest performance.
- Vigo, a NAF hot pepper, produces cylindrical fruits with smooth skin and thick flesh, around 18–20 cm long and approximately 90 g on average. Fruits turn from dark green to bright red at maturity, while its vigorous plant and cold tolerance make it versatile for both greenhouse and open-field production.
How to choose the right hot pepper variety
Beyond the pepper type itself, choosing between different hot pepper varieties depends on the conditions of each farm. Growers should consider:
- Production system: greenhouse, net house or open field. Several materials, including Húngaro 029 and Vigo, are suitable for more than one production system.
- Crop cycle and earliness: some options are earlier, such as Cubilete at approximately 70–75 days, while others are designed to maintain fruit size and quality throughout longer cycles.
- Fruit size and market destination: the portfolio ranges from 9–11 cm serrano peppers to large poblano peppers and 20–25 cm Hungarian types.
- Growing area and climate: a significant part of the portfolio has been tested under both arid conditions and cooler or rainier production environments.
HR/IR resistance information and registration details for each material are included in its validated technical sheet, which should always be used as the reference when making crop decisions.
Frequently asked questions about hot pepper varieties
What is the difference between serrano, jalapeño and poblano peppers?
Serrano peppers are small-to-medium hot peppers, generally around 9–15 cm, with pronounced pungency. Jalapeños are fleshier, typically have moderate pungency and are highly valued for their postharvest performance. Poblanos are larger and generally milder, with an important role in Mexican cuisine. CapGen Seeds works with all three pepper types.
Which CapGen Seeds serrano pepper varieties have particularly thick flesh?
Among the CapGen Seeds serrano pepper range, Plata and Cubilete stand out for their particularly thick flesh in fruits measuring around 9–11 cm. Plata also offers pronounced pungency, while Cubilete provides good postharvest performance.
Can hot peppers be grown in both greenhouses and open fields?
Yes. Several varieties in the portfolio, including Húngaro 029 and Vigo, are suitable for both greenhouse and open-field production. The most appropriate choice depends on the growing area, climate and production system.
How large are jalapeño and Hungarian peppers?
CapGen Seeds jalapeños range from approximately 8–15 cm depending on the variety. Bravo, for example, measures around 8–10 cm, while Jalapeño 502 reaches 13–15 cm. Hungarian types such as Húngaro 029 and Xenón reach approximately 20–25 cm.
Which hot pepper types are especially important in the Mexican market?
Serrano and jalapeño peppers are among the most important hot pepper types in Mexico due to their traditional flavour profiles and culinary use. CapGen Seeds has developed and tested a significant part of its portfolio with this market in mind, including serrano varieties such as Plata, Platino and Río Elota.
Hot pepper genetics adapted to different markets
Behind this range is the CapGen Seeds approach to plant breeding: proprietary genetics, trials under different production conditions and close technical support throughout the crop cycle. Hot peppers are a good example, with materials developed alongside demanding markets such as Mexico and now being tested and adapted to additional production areas.
If you grow hot peppers and would like to find out which variety is best suited to your area and production system, contact our technical team. The best recommendation always starts by understanding the crop and its growing conditions.
