Jalapenos

[Gonna Smoke]

For the past several months the jalapenos I have bought have absolutely no heat, no different than a green bell pepper. I have gotten them from different places, but they all taste like they came from the same farms. It's almost like the heat is being hybridized out them, I just don't get it.

I'm not looking for "why did I put that in my mouth" heat, but what is an alternative fresh pepper to look for that has similar heat levels?

 

[Parshooter]

I heard that you can tell the heat of a jalapeno by the skin. If it's smooth with no blemishes, it's mild. If it's got "character", blemishes/brown spots, it's going to be hotter. I hate buying something like that and not living up to expectations.

 

[chopsaw]

fresh pepper to look for that has similar heat levels?

I grew serrano's last year . Great pepper for ading to dishes or sausage . They're twice as hot , or more than a jalapeno .

Some jalapenos are mild , you know that already . I look for smaller for hotter , and leave the vanes in .
You cooking them in something , or eating raw ?

 

[jcam222]

Different jalapeno varieties have been bred to be mild to appeal to a broader audience. It's hard to know without actually tasting one. If you see some brown corking on the pepper it's likely hotter. As Rich said Serrano's may be your ticket. They are consistently hot.

 

[chopsaw]

Serranos in the middle .


My Son grew Fresno last year . They are more in the heat scale of a jalapeno , with a more " fruity " flavor .

 

[gmc2003]

Rich what are the carroty looking ones on the left?

Chris

 

[chopsaw]

Rich what are the carroty looking ones on the left?

The bigger red one on the left in the pic I see is a Jalapneo .
Skinny , long far right is Red flame Cayenne . Those are hot . I made powder and flakes out of those .

 

[gmc2003]

Sorry I meant right but typed left.. Thanks

Chris

 

[SmokinEdge]

Yup, guys have you covered. Fresno have about the right heat but are sweeter. I default to Serrano almost always. While a bit hotter they bring better flavor overall I think.

 

[Gonna Smoke]

You cooking them in something , or eating raw ?

Both. We like adding them fresh chopped up on things such as tacos, which we did last night. Also cooked in things like chili and scrambled eggs, etc. I've bought all sizes and colors of them and they all taste the same.

My options are limited, but I'm going to look for the others that have been suggested. Thank you all...

 

[zwiller]

Curious if others will agree, while the serrano is hotter than the jap the heat level seems very CONSISTENT in comparison to the jap. I typically use pickeled japs rather than fresh for the same reason. I prefer the Mexican canned pickeled japs with the carrot, onion, and spices.

 

[clifish]

for the last couple years I have planted "hot" japs that still weren't. Serrano can be overpowering to some (aka the wife) I might try a Fresno plant this year

 

[hoity toit]

Serranos in the middle .
View attachment 732922

My Son grew Fresno last year . They are more in the heat scale of a jalapeno , with a more " fruity " flavor .
View attachment 732923

dont rub your eyes or face

HT

 

[chopsaw]

I meant right but typed left.

It originally posted upside down , so I flipped it and reposted . Wasn't sure if it worked or not .

 

[jcam222]

Curious if others will agree, while the serrano is hotter than the jap the heat level seems very CONSISTENT in comparison to the jap. I typically use pickeled japs rather than fresh for the same reason. I prefer the Mexican canned pickeled japs with the carrot, onion, and spices.

I agree that serrano heat is pretty consistent. I think because they don't have the same main stream demand that drove breeding mild versions.

 

[voyager 663rd]

HOT japs? Look for any that have white striations (lines) from one end to the other. THOSE are the ones to pick

 

[phil brown]

Peppers create capsaicin under stress, so less stressful conditions equal milder peppers. Overwatering is a frequent cause. They can cross-pollinate with bell peppers, though. So who knows.

I love serranos, and consistency is definitely one of the reasons. I usually put a bowl of thinly-sliced serranos on the table when I serve chili. They add a predictable amount of heat, and they taste good.

 

[Chris_in_SoCal]

I buy a lot of Jalapenos. Probably more than any other veg. I have noticed that the ones I get from the Mexican grocery stores are definitely hotter than the ones from Walmart.

My preference are the red ones that are left longer on the vine. The only place I can find them anymore is from Asian markets but that is seasonal and more expensive. They mostly are getting swept up from seracha makers. the red ones are sweeter but still have the heat.

 

[millerbuilds]

For the past several months the jalapenos I have bought have absolutely no heat, no different than a green bell pepper. I have gotten them from different places, but they all taste like they came from the same farms. It's almost like the heat is being hybridized out them, I just don't get it.

I'm not looking for "why did I put that in my mouth" heat, but what is an alternative fresh pepper to look for that has similar heat levels?

Typical of this time of year, they pick them before they are fully ripe, so the heat is lower. The hotter ones arrive when we start seeing them imported from Mexico and local south US hit the market in July.

- Jason

 

[dward51]

I've grown a couple of "heat less" varieties of jalapeno's at home. The one I usually grow is called "fooled you" and I like that you get the jalapeno flavor but zero heat. So other family members who are not fond of the heat can still eat items with the flavor. I suppose it's possible some similar varieties were grown on the commercial farm or the seed growing company farm and might have crossed with normal jalapenos producing yet another lower heat hybrid (not intentionally)? But they do make them.

I concur that if you have a local Mexican store or "Mercado" they will usually have the real deal with full heat. They also have many other pepper options at the ones around here.