1Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Mexico
2Instituto de Ecologia Aplicada, Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas, Mexico
3Centro de Investigaciones Regionales del Noreste, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agricolas y Pecuarias, Mexico
*Correspondence to E-mail: horacio.villalon@gmail.com
Online published on 18 April, 2014.
In order to understand the factors influencing the great demand and also the high cost of piquin pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var. glabriusculum Heiser & Pickersgill) in north-eastern Mexico, surveys were undertaken in the study area. This was done to determine the factors that make people to pay a high price for piquin pepper. The results showed with 95% confidence, that its desirable flavor compared to that of other chilis like serrano and jalapeno, was the main reason for the consumer to pay more for the piquin pepper in the market. Hence it is considered a premium product for which people pay on average US$ 6.25±3.75 for one pound of piquin pepper.
Piquin pepper, Price factors, Flavor, Quality, North-east Mexico
