Welcome to the ULTIMATE JALAPEÑO PEPPER guide!
Do you’ve ever wonder what different jalapeno types taste like? Are they as hot as a dragon’s breath or milder than an older man’s handshake? Then you have come to the RIGHT PLACE.
From TAM Jalapenos that won’t make your eyes tear up to fiery NuMex Pinata jalapeno peppers. These get even the toughest of dragons running for cover. You are in for a real ‘HOT topic’! Hahaha.
We provide you with the information and tips for our SUCCESSFUL GARDENING experience. We understand that it can be overwhelming, but we are here to help you every step of the way.
So buckle in for a fun journey of discovering ALL SORTS OF JALAPENOS. No taste bud or sense of adventure is left behind!
Let us be your guide through the world of gardening and growing FRUIT AND VEGETABLES!
What are Jalapenos?
Jalapenos are a HOT PEPPER known for their bright, fiery flavor. Jalapeno peppers range from 2-4 inches in length and feature a unique, smoky, spicy taste.
The jalapeno plant can grow quite large and produce mammoth jalapenos. They are so big they could fill a whole burrito! These often come with THICK WALLS.
Jalapeno varieties come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. They range from green to YELLOW or even RED when fully ripened. Some jalapeno plants are also DISEASE RESISTANT.
Why should sickness get in the way of enjoying this flavorful pepper? These are often bred specifically for commercial growing.
Despite their small size, jalapenos pack a punch. Think tiny firecrackers exploding on your tongue! However, they’re considered medium heat compared to other hot peppers. These hotter ones include HABANERO or CAYENNE PEPPER!
This makes jalapenos perfect for adding heat to dishes like tacos or salsa. This is because they WILL NOT OVERPOWER the other flavors in the food. ONE SINGLE JALAPENO can add enough heat to spice up an entire dish!
They give the perfect balance between sweet and spicy. So incorporate some golden yellow jalapenos into your next meal? Do you dare take the challenge?
How Hot Are Jalapeno Peppers?
Jalapeno peppers are pretty hot! On the Scoville scale, most jalapenos can range from 2,500 to 8,000 SHU (Scoville Heat Units). That’s somewhere between a MILD BELL PEPPER and a SCOTCH BONNET PEPPER. The purple jalapenos in some markets are on the hotter side of that range. So watch out!
So if you like spicy food but don’t want your mouth to be on fire, then mild jalapenos with about 5,000 SHU are for you. But if you’re an adventurous eater looking for some heat, why not go all out and try something at 8,000 SHU or more?
Just make sure you have a glass of MILK nearby. It’s going to bring tears to your eyes!
No matter what kind of fire you prefer, HOLD YOUR HORSES. When cooking with hot jalapeno peppers, it’s important to remember that less is more. START SMALL and add more so your dish isn’t pushed into nuclear meltdown territory!
Tips To Grow Jalapeno Peppers
Here are some tips on how to EASILY GROW your jalapeño peppers:
- Start with QUALITY PEPPER SEEDS. Choose jalapeño varieties with DISEASE RESISTANCE for best results.
- Plant your peppers in a SUNNY, WARM SPOT. This is essential for jalapenos. Otherwise, they’ll sit there like sad little green ghosts and haunt you!
- Keep them well-watered but don’t overdo it. Too much water can make the plants rot faster than an apple left on the counter!
- Monitor their progress. Watch out for PESTS and harvest them at different stages depending on what COLOR you want (GREEN or RED). Not sure which color to pick? Get green when starting and deep red when FULLY GROWN – and create your rainbow of jalapeño peppers.
- Consider other jalapeno varieties. There are MANY TYPES of these mild heat peppers, including orange, yellow, or even purple jalapeños!
- Add fertilizer if needed – a little COMPOST helps keep your plant HEALTHY as it matures. So give ’em ‘the good stuff’ when they start to look droopy. And maybe add some EXTRA LOVE too
- Enjoy! With PROPER CARE, your home garden will soon be filled with TASTY JALAPEÑOS. These are perfect for adding zing and spice to any dish!
Types of Jalapenos
1. TAM Jalapeno
TAM Jalapenos are a unique and tasty type of pepper with GREAT FLAVOR AND HEAT. They range from mild to hot, depending on the Scoville Heat they contain.
This means you always find the right level to suit your taste buds. This type is MILD JALAPENO VARIETY, with a Scoville Heat rating between 1000-1500.
TAM Jalapenos have a bright green color with occasional patches of dark green. They feel medium-firm when squeezed and are about TWO to THREE inches long. These peppers also have an UNMISTAKABLE AROMA.
They have a mild taste. This may remind you of grassy or earthy notes with just a hint of sweetness. It is exactly how you’d expect from such flavorful jalapenos!
But don’t let the mildly sweet smell fool you; these peppers can still pack quite the punch! When tasted raw, they bring out notes of grassiness and sweetness. They also have a SLOWLY BUILDING HEAT that can linger after each bite.
This is like how you would feel if you had one too many shots at happy hour (but without all the regret)! If cooked in recipes such as salsa or chiles rellenos. Their flavor will be much SLIGHTLY pronounced.
2. Mammoth Jalapeno
Mammoth Jalapeños are the perfect pepper for any SPICE LOVER! These large peppers have a medium heat level that’ll make your taste buds do a little jig. Think between 5000 and 8000 Scoville Heat Units.
Mammoth jalapenos boast a rich flavor with hints of smokiness. Think campfire smoke, no that is not the smokiness we are talking about. Hahaha. This adds unique depths to your favorite dishes.
They’re also incredibly DISEASE-RESISTANT. This makes them an ideal choice for gardeners who want big harvests without the hassle.
3. Chilipeno Hybrids
Chilipeño hybrids are a type of jalapeno pepper CROSSBRED with other peppers. It’s like saying, ‘you thought jalapenos were hot? Hold my beer!’
The goal is to create a unique flavor and heat level. These hybrid peppers have different colors and shapes. Often, these qualities depend on the PARENT PEPPER used in the breeding process.
Think of it like a SMOOTHIE. Combining other fruits creates a unique flavor. You can also adjust the sweetness or spice depending on what kind of fruits you use.
The heat levels range from mild, which only has a Scoville rating of 200 SHU, to intense, with over 10,000 SHU! That’s like eating PURE CAPSAICIN! They generally have more seeds than regular jalapenos, making them extra spicy.
Chilipeño hybrids come in wide pepper varieties. You incorporate them into various dishes for a delicious zing of flavor and spice! Do you dare take the challenge?
4. Chichimeca
Chichimeca jalapenos are a MEDIUM TO HOT jalapeno variety with a unique, SPICY TASTE. Native to Mexico, these peppers have a pleasant heat that may overpower your taste buds!
Most range between 5,500 and 8,000 SHU. Although that’s hot, you won’t leave reaching for the fire extinguisher! Hahaha
They are SLIGHTLY SMALLER than other jalapeño varieties. They typically measure between two and three inches in length. Chichimeca jalapeños make up for this with a vibrant, bright GREEN HUE that adds vibrancy to any dish.
These make the perfect addition to tacos or salsa recipes that need a hint of spice. Think of it like a roller coaster ride: you still get the thrill without the terrifying drop.
Plus, this pepper variety is VERSATILE enough for all sorts of dishes – from salads to soups.
5. Conchos
Conchos jalapeño peppers are a MILD AND UNIQUE variety of jalapeno peppers. With an average rating of 5,000 on the Scoville scale. That’s practically burning up the scale if you ask me. Just kidding, the next one is way hotter!
These peppers look like regular jalapeno peppers with a deep, dark red hue that makes them stand out in any dish. The flavor is smoky and spicy, with a hint of sweetness.
When cooked, their heat INTENSIFIES BUT IS MANAGEABLE. This makes them perfect for hot sauces! Have you ever tried adding Conchos jalapeño peppers to your recipes?
If not, why not give it a try? It’s like having a spicy party on your tongue – if you’re brave enough to try it!
6. NuMex Pinata
NuMex Pinata jalapeños are the MOST flavorful and FIERY JALAPENO PEPPERS out there! Oh, you thought the previous one was hot? These gorgeous red jalapeño peppers reach up to 50,000 Scoville heat units. Now that’s enough heat to make your eyes tear up and your nose run!
This HOT JALAPENO VARIETY measures about 4 inches long and have pretty thick skin. This allows them to be stuffed with yummy ingredients. These may include cheese, bacon, and other fillings! If you’re brave enough, why not try making one of these delicious snacks?
Just have a GLASS OF MILK before even looking at these bad boys! Legend says that if you say “NuMex Pinata” three times, your tongue starts burning. Wanna try it?
These hot peppers are among the most popular jalapeno varieties.
7. Lemon Spice Jalapeno
Lemon Spice Jalapeno is a type of large jalapeno pepper with an unforgettable flavor. It often has A SPECIFIC YELLOW COLOR.
This type of jalapeno pepper is MEDIUM-HOT, ranging from 2,500 to 5,000 SHUs. With its unique taste profile, this jalapeno variety delivers spice and citrusy notes.
You use it to spruce up salads or add them to your favorite dish for a ZESTY TWIST! Have you ever experienced the Lemon Spice Jalapeno?
Imagine stirring your large chili pot and adding five of these jalapenos. Would you be brave enough to try it? Or will the spicy kick be too much for you?
8. Mucho Nacho Jalapeno
Mucho Nacho Jalapeno is one of the most popular types of jalapeno peppers. This jalapeno pepper is spicy and bright green and packs quite a punch at 4500 to 6000 SHU.
They’re great for adding a kick to dishes like nachos and tacos – it sure beats using ketchup! Have you ever had JALAPENO POPPERS? Nacho Jalapeno would make great jalapeno poppers.
They’re deep-fried jalapenos stuffed with cheese—delicious! So good you may want to bathe in them – just kidding!
You’ll get plenty of fire from these peppers. And an unusual sweetness that will leave your taste buds tingling! Mucho Nacho Jalapeno is perfect for those looking for something new in chili peppers.
9. Billy Biker Jalapeno
Billy Biker Jalapeno is a spicy, brightly-colored type of jalapeno pepper. It packs a POWERFUL PUNCH! It averages 5,000 to 10,000 SHU, which is much higher than most OTHER JALAPENO VARIETIES – and it’s not for the faint of heart. But if you love spice, these peppers are perfect for you!
You could try stuffing biker billy jalapenos with CREAM CHEESE and baking them. You’ll get delicious jalapeño poppers. They’ll leave your mouth burning and your taste buds tingling in delight!
Are you brave enough to take on a challenge? Compare Billy Biker and Mucho Nacho stuffed jalapeno poppers. Then tell us which ones are better.
10. Purple Jalapeno
Purple jalapenos are a type of jalapeno pepper with a vibrant purple color. These peppers are typically about the same size as most jalapeno varieties. They measure 2,500 and 8,000 SHU, making them spicier than their green counterparts. Not by that much, though.
What makes Purple jalapenos unique? Well, they do have a SWEET-SPICY TASTE. They also add a bit of visual interest to meal presentations! Have you ever seen such a gorgeous shade of purple before?
Not all stores carry this variety, but it’s worth a try if you’re lucky enough to find the purple peppers! They can be used to make SAUCES AND SALSAS, or added raw into salads for some extra oomph. Think of them like your very own angry royal chefs in the kitchen.
FAQs about Jalapeno Types
1. Are black jalapenos hotter than green?
The two pepper varieties are relatively mild. While both types of jalapenos are spicy, black jalapenos usually have a Scoville rating of 1,000-1,500. On the other hand, green jalapenos have a SHU rating of 2,500 to 8,000. So yes – green varieties are slightly spicier than black jalapenos!
2. Do jalapenos get hotter the longer they sit?
Yes, jalapenos do get hotter the longer they sit!
3. Why are fresh jalapenos not hot?
The amount of heat in a jalapeno depends on various factors. These could be like soil fertility and growing conditions.
That means that fresh peppers could look identical from one plant to another. However, they could have very different fire levels!
4. Are jalapenos still spicy without seeds?
Yes, jalapenos can still be quite spicy, even without the seeds! The heat from the peppers themselves carries through. Jalapenos have plenty of fire on the inside membranes.
What’s Next
We enticed you by giving you the lowdown on jalapenos. This was from their characteristics to how hot they are and tips on growing your own. We even ran through some of the most popular types like TAM Jalapeno, Mammoth Jalapeno, and more!
Start your jalapeno garden today with the help of AsterGardening! Our team of expert gardeners has put together detailed guides and resources.
There are meant to make sure you’re successful in growing your jalapenos. Are you a beginner starting out or a seasoned gardener looking for new tips?
There’s something here for everyone. Reach out if you need guidance – we’re always happy to help!
