© Denzil Green
Jalapeno plants grow up to about 1 metre (3 feet) tall. The chiles average 2.5 cm (1 inch) wide, and 7.5 cm (2 to 3 inches) long.
Most Jalapenos are harvested when they are a rich green colour. Red Jalapenos are the more mature version of the green ones, that have been left on the plant a bit longer.
In Mexico, some will be grown with brown streaks on them, which consumers there like. For the North American market, they are grown pure green.
Varieties of jalapenos include Típico, Peludo, Early Jalapeño (hotter) and TAM Jalapeño (milder.)
Chile Heat: 2,500 – 8,000 Scoville Units
Cooking Tips
Canned is fine, though they aren’t as hot for some reason as the fresh, but they will still be hot enough for most people you will cook for.
Amount
|
||
Calories |
4
|
|
Fat |
0 g
|
|
Saturated |
0 g
|
|
Trans |
0 g
|
|
Cholesterol |
0 mg
|
|
Carbohydrate |
.9 g
|
|
Fibre |
.4 g
|
|
Sugars |
.6 g
|
|
Protein |
.1 g
|
|
Potassium |
35 mg
|
Equivalents
An average jalapeno pepper weighs about 15 to 25 g (.5 oz to 1 oz), whole, with stem and seeds in.
1 cup, seeded and sliced weighs about 90 g / about 3 oz.
Literature & Lore
Jalapeños are named after the city of Xalapa/Jalapa in Veracruz, Mexico. There is no longer any significant commercial growth in Veracruz. Other Mexican names for Jalapeños are cuaresmeños (Lenten chiles), huachinangos and chiles gordos.