ana Jalapeño Peppers are popular in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, and they’re also America’s favorite green chili pepper! But why are they so popular?
What is a Jalapeño?
Jalapeños are medium-sized, moderately hot chili peppers. They usually grow to about three inches long, but they can reach up to six inches.
Jalapeños originated in Mexico, but they’re now so popular that they’re grown all over the world! The name comes from Jalapa, a city in Mexico where they were originally cultivated.
How to Grow Jalapeño Peppers
Jalapeño plants are easy to grow. They reach just two to three feet in height, and each plant produces 30–40 peppers. If you keep picking the peppers, the plant will continue to produce more.
Most people harvest the peppers when they’re green. If you leave them on the plant longer, they’ll turn red. At this stage, they’re more mature and tend to be hotter as a result.
Are Jalapeños Hot?
Jalapeños range from 2,500 to 8,000 on the Scoville scale. For comparison, bell peppers are not spicy at all and rate at zero Scoville Heat Units (SHU). While jalapeños can seem very spicy compared to bell peppers, remember that the hottest chili peppers in the world exceed 2 million SHU!
Jalapeños can vary in SHU because many factors can influence a pepper’s heat. Climate, soil, and rainfall all impact the final result.
Most of the heat comes from the white inner veins of the pepper, also known as ribs or the membrane. Removing these parts will reduce the heat of your dish.
This balance of heat—noticeable but not extreme—is what makes the jalapeño the most popular chili pepper in the United States. Plus, it’s available year-round and can be found in nearly every grocery store.
Are Dried Jalapeños Hotter Than Fresh Ones?
Dried jalapeños are called chipotle peppers. Chipotles are usually made from red jalapeños. The peppers are dried in a smoker or on a low grill.
Chipotle peppers measure around 5,000 to 10,000 SHU, making them slightly hotter than fresh jalapeños.
To make chipotle powder, the smoked peppers are ground up. They’re not only spicy but also retain the smoky flavor of the wood used in the drying process.
Cooking with Jalapeños
When preparing jalapeños, avoid touching your eyes, nose, or other sensitive membranes.
This is important because capsaicin (the compound in peppers that creates heat) causes a burning sensation. For safety, you can wear kitchen gloves when handling any hot chili peppers.
Since jalapeños aren’t extremely hot, you can use them much like bell peppers to add a bit of spice. Just finely chop them and add them to your favorite dish.
If you want more heat, leave in the white membrane and seeds—or remove them to tone down the spice.
Are Jalapeños Healthy to Eat?
Yes! Jalapeños are very low in calories and rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
They’re full of vitamin C and have antioxidant properties that are important for maintaining good health. They’re a simple and healthy way to add flavor to any dish.
It’s also worth noting that regularly consuming foods containing capsaicin can speed up metabolism, help prevent cancer, and stabilize blood sugar levels.
In other words – let’s eat more jalapeños!
