For maximum heat, leave the seeds and membranes in the pepper; habanero will be much hotter than serrano. Ever touched your lips or eyes after chopping hot peppers? Avoid those burns by wearing gloves to prevent the pepper's heat from penetrating your skin.
Maybe your choice of latitude isn't as hot and sultry as it could be. Get a taste of the tropics in your cheesecake, with a baked coconut flake crust and zesty lime filling.