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[Plies]

Here's an interesting article about it;
https://www.dmagazine.com/food-drink/2023/05/why-jalapeno-peppers-less-spicy-blame-aggies/

In summary:

-Yankees move to Texas
-Complain the salsa is too spicy
-Restaurants ask suppliers for less heat
-Suppliers tell farmers they only want mild
-Farmers go to A&M and ask for mild so they won't go broke.
.

And here's my game plan:

1 - I've started selecting for hotter peppers, such as serranos, which not only have more heat than jalapenos, but also more flavor. Habaneros are great, too.


2 - I've also started growing jalapeños on my own. I've been growing "early" varietals and after testing a few things out last year, I definitely let mine stress out and ripen on the vine until they start shading deeper green into purple or red and without fail - a pepper with stress marks and turning a bit red (or fully red) is gonna be hotter than the prettiest green ones.

3 - You can use hot oils and powders to add some heat to your recipes, as well. In some cases, this will give more flavorful depth to your dishes, whilst allowing to control the heat more precisely.

4 - Buying fresh peppers from local farmers markets is a solid route to go, as they're usually far removed from growing their produce under any dubious circumstances. Farmers' markets are the one true way to make sure you're getting "heirloom" jalapeños; however they're very seasonal. So, buying peppers in the middle of the winter can be a crapshoot.

 

[calistan]

Here's an interesting article about it;
https://www.dmagazine.com/food-drink/2023/05/why-jalapeno-peppers-less-spicy-blame-aggies/

In summary:

-Yankees move to Texas
-Complain the salsa is too spicy
-Restaurants ask suppliers for less heat
-Suppliers tell farmers they only want mild
-Farmers go to A&M and ask for mild so they won't go broke.
.

And here's my game plan:

1 - I've started selecting for hotter peppers, such as serranos, which not only have more heat than jalapenos, but also more flavor. Habaneros are great, too.


2 - I've also started growing jalapeños on my own. I've been growing "early" varietals and after testing a few things out last year, I definitely let mine stress out and ripen on the vine until they start shading deeper green into purple or red and without fail - a pepper with stress marks and turning a bit red (or fully red) is gonna be hotter than the prettiest green ones.

3 - You can use hot oils and powders to add some heat to your recipes, as well. In some cases, this will give more flavorful depth to your dishes, whilst allowing to control the heat more precisely.

4 - Buying fresh peppers from local farmers markets is a solid route to go, as they're usually far removed from growing their produce under any dubious circumstances. Farmers' markets are the one true way to make sure you're getting "heirloom" jalapeños; however they're very seasonal. So, buying peppers in the middle of the winter can be a crapshoot.

I've noticed this with padron peppers, the ones you serve fried and salted as a tapas dish.

Most are completely heatless, but it used to be that one or two in every dozen had a random degree of hotness, anywhere from sub-jalapeno to almost habanero sort of level.

That was kind of the fun of the dish. My wife was afraid of them, and would cautiously bite a piece off before passing me any hot ones.

But that was many years ago. They vanished from our local supermarkets for a while, but after returning and becoming trendy about 10 years ago every pack I've bought has been disappointing. Not a single spicy pepper - until last week, when the Mrs bit into one obliviously and got something hotter than the sun (or so she claimed). I've yet to experience this myself.

 

[TheUnicornGuy]

Jalapeños have always been super mild though. They're a kids version of a chilli.

 

[killatopak]

So Texans have weak assholes?

Power has a price they cannot handle.

 

[MilkyJoe]

Try raw birds eye and get back to me

 

[Toots]

Jalapeños have always been super mild though. They're a kids version of a chilli.

15 years ago (so at a time jalapenos were still supposed to be hot) i was working at a subway sandwich in Montreal (S/O place des arts) and jalapenos was a novelty (for subway at least). It was advertised as very spicy. i had a regular who came from french caribean and loved hot peppers so i was really eager to have her try our new "ultra spicy" jalapenos.
She took one bit and was like "meh, it's the type of pepper we give to kids", so i did her usual chicken sandiwch with 5 fat lines of sriracha sauce and never brought back the jalapenos to anyone again.

 

[ClanOfNone]

I feel like most people's experience with jalapeños is the pickled crap that comes on "nachos."
Fresh peppers are so much better and can have a surprising variety in the amount of heat they have.
Char em and slice em or dice them up raw, they go great with almost anything. The pickled ones can die in a fire.

 

[AJUMP23]

I do like some kick in my salsa, and even if I thought it was spicy I would never say something. I would just note prepare for some spice at this place. THe heat is good for your circulation.

 

[Pancakes and Sausage]

Serrano peppers have wonderful flavour and good heat. Habanero taste great but the heat is too much.

I use jalapeño peppers in place of green bell pepper now

 

[Reizo Ryuu]

Normally the heat of a jalapeno doesn't even register for me, but I had one a little while back that fucked me up, like my entire mouth was burning and I actually had to stop eating for a good minute to gather myself; must've had some sort of weird mutant seed that had a hundred seeds compressed into it

 

[diffusionx]

I bought the Trader Joe habanero sauce and found it inedible, then I went on Reddit and see people complaining about how it is way less spicy than it used to be.

I don't get spice people

 

[GymWolf]

The only thing with jalapeno in it that i eat are those cheese nuggets from burger king everytime i go to amsterdam.

Not really a spicy eater.

 

[Kacho]

Most jalapenos are whatever these days. Occasionally you'll get one that knocks your socks off but it's rare.

 

[Connificent]

The only thing with jalapeno in it that i eat are those cheese nuggets from burger king everytime i go to amsterdam.

Not really a spicy eater.

Dem shits are nasty. Fuck hot food. Never understood why anybody would sweat their ass off and burn their mouth.

 

[ResilientBanana]

Dem shits are nasty. Fuck hot food. Never understood why anybody would sweat their ass off and burn their mouth.

Jalepeno and Serano have great flavor, anything beyond that taste like hot.

 

[IntentionalPun]

Jalepeno and Serano have great flavor, anything beyond that taste like hot.

Habaneros have tons of flavor, a nice fruitiness for lack of a better term.

 

[DeVeAn]

They are. WA state has 2 types, non spicy WTF!! and OG jalepenos. Seranos are a good step up. Love Spicy food.

 

[Plies]

So Texans have weak assholes?

Power has a price they cannot handle.

Not native Texans, but Yank immigrants into the state.

 

[ResilientBanana]

Habaneros have tons of flavor, a nice fruitiness for lack of a better term.

I disagree. I would say that a habanero and a Carolina reaper taste the same difference being the heat is more intense on a reaper as is the flavor.

On the flipside, a pineapple habanero, hot sauce is delicious. But I prefer jalapeño flavored items.

 

[jason10mm]

Been a while since I've sweated out during a meal.

Hottest I've ever had was at an Indian place. Ordered their "fire naan bread" and had the waiter, the hostess, the owner, and the damned CHEF cpome out to make sure i wanted it because it was something "not meant for americans (aka white people)". Eventually I lost my ability to hear, drank 4 beers to control the heat, and my wife said I went white as a sheet

Next day was pure torture, that's for sure.

Flavorful heat I like, not doing that reaper one chip thing.

 

[Avid Reading Horse]

I thought I noticed jalapenos getting less spicy over the years, but I figured that was just the aging process as I slowly lose the ability to feel anything over the decades.

Spicy food hits me with heartburn or GERD before it does any real damage to my tastebuds. Very sad.

 

[I collect VHS tapes]

I usually use habaneros or Anaheim chilis

 

[GymWolf]

Dem shits are nasty. Fuck hot food. Never understood why anybody would sweat their ass off and burn their mouth.

I hate hot food aswell and it is like one time a year when i visit amsterdam and i have the strongest munchies...

 

[The Fartist]

Dem shits are nasty. Fuck hot food. Never understood why anybody would sweat their ass off and burn their mouth.

 

[belmarduk]

Not native Texans, but Yank immigrants into the state.

It doesn't say that in the article. This variety of jalapeño was developed in Texas.

 

[Plies]

It doesn't say that in the article. This variety of jalapeño was developed in Texas.

It was developed for Yanks moving in. Trust me.

Yanks have weak palates.

 

[Trilobit]

Eating enormously spicey food is like drinking enormously caffeine-rich drinks, you just make your body accustomed to a certain level and then you need to add more to get the same effect you got in the beginning. It makes more sense to take a break and then continue again. I don't think people who eat incredibly spicey foods are cooler or more "powerful", they've just ruined their sense of taste. And yes, I think that about whole countries like India. It's like a person who keeps increasing the volume on his stereo because he keeps ruining his ears, and then has the gall to laugh at people whose ears hurt.

 

[Smiggs]

Eating enormously spicey food is like drinking enormously caffeine-rich drinks, you just make your body accustomed to a certain level and then you need to add more to get the same effect you got in the beginning. It makes more sense to take a break and then continue again. I don't think people who eat incredibly spicey foods are cooler or more "powerful", they've just ruined their sense of taste. And yes, I think that about whole countries like India. It's like a person who keeps increasing the volume on his stereo because he keeps ruining his ears, and then has the gall to laugh at people whose ears hurt.

On the flipside, I can eat incredibly hot dishes or peppers, and actually taste what I'm eating. Where as people without a higher heat tolerance only perceive the pain, not the subtle flavors different peppers can bring into the fold.

It's also not just about chasing after the high or the burning sensation; I still love really mild hot sauces like Louisiana, Tabasco, Sriracha, Franks, etc. There are very few dishes I eat/make that don't have either peppers or some type of hot sauce in them. I just love the flavor of peppers/chilies.

 

[MikeM]

Grow your own. I'm growing green grapes, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and other plans out of a box and a couple planters.

Freshly grown food tastes leagues better than grocery bought generally.

 

[IntentionalPun]

It was developed for Yanks moving in. Trust me.

Yanks have weak palates.

Who still talks like this?

Your avatar now stands for yin and yank.

 

[Dural]

Habaneros have tons of flavor, a nice fruitiness for lack of a better term.

I disagree. I would say that a habanero and a Carolina reaper taste the same difference being the heat is more intense on a reaper as is the flavor.

On the flipside, a pineapple habanero, hot sauce is delicious. But I prefer jalapeño flavored items.

Agreed, not a fan of the flavor of Habanero. Several years back several of us at work ate some whole habaneros, the flavor wasn't great. Jalapenos, serrano, anaheim, poblano all taste better. Chipotles (smoke dried) are probably my favorite flavor variety.

Many years ago a friend made some jalapeno poppers for a poker night that were ridiculously hot. He said they were grown next to some habaneros, not sure if they crossbred or what but jalapenos are not typically as spicy as these were.

 

[ResilientBanana]

Agreed, not a fan of the flavor of Habanero. Several years back several of us at work ate some whole habaneros, the flavor wasn't great. Jalapenos, serrano, anaheim, poblano all taste better. Chipotles (smoke dried) are probably my favorite flavor variety.

Many years ago a friend made some jalapeno poppers for a poker night that were ridiculously hot. He said they were grown next to some habaneros, not sure if they crossbred or what but jalapenos are not typically as spicy as these were.

That can definitely happen especially if they are on the plant long enough, and even more so if they turn red. Which leads me to the conclusion that maybe Jalepenos aren't less hot then they used to be and maybe they are simply picked quick enough for them not to become as spicy.

 

[IntentionalPun]

Agreed, not a fan of the flavor of Habanero. Several years back several of us at work ate some whole habaneros, the flavor wasn't great. Jalapenos, serrano, anaheim, poblano all taste better. Chipotles (smoke dried) are probably my favorite flavor variety.

Many years ago a friend made some jalapeno poppers for a poker night that were ridiculously hot. He said they were grown next to some habaneros, not sure if they crossbred or what but jalapenos are not typically as spicy as these were.

There's a difference between not liking a flavor and saying something doesn't have flavor (which is what you just agreed to. )

 

[Dural]

There's a difference between not liking a flavor and saying something doesn't have flavor (which is what you just agreed to. )

Yes, it does have a lot of flavor. Most hot sauces that use it you can really taste it, there are a few that are good that it's more subtle. Of the really hot peppers I've tried I guess you're at least tasting something other than just heat with them.

 

[Plies]

Freshly grown food tastes leagues better than grocery bought generally.

Generally? Are there any examples of store bought produce tasting better?

I can't think of any.

 

[I collect VHS tapes]

Generally? Are there any examples of store bought produce tasting better?

I can't think of any.

Stuff like cotton candy grapes, cosmic crisp apples, some Cavendish bananas, pink pineapple, etc. are extremely popular and can't be freshly grown at home

lots of stuff from major biotech companies are genetically engineered or genetically modified crops that are designed to be infertile or controlled in terms of reproduction rights

I'm not personally a fan of them usually, although cotton candy grapes are delicious and I believe I've had some GE/GM mandarins that were really really good

I have my own garden though and rely on that primarily, although I don't grow a ton of fruit

 

[Plies]

Stuff like cotton candy grapes, cosmic crisp apples, some Cavendish bananas, pink pineapple, etc. are extremely popular and can't be freshly grown at home

lots of stuff from major biotech companies are genetically engineered or genetically modified crops that are designed to be infertile or controlled in terms of reproduction rights

I'm not personally a fan of them usually, although cotton candy grapes are delicious and I believe I've had some GE/GM mandarins that were really really good

I have my own garden though and rely on that primarily, although I don't grow a ton of fruit

Ooooh yeah, I forgot about cotton candy grapes.
Those are incredibly good.

*runs off to grocery store

 

[I collect VHS tapes]

Ooooh yeah, I forgot about cotton candy grapes. Those are incredibly good.

*runs off to grocery store

I'm a HUGE fan of grapes, and those are pretty much the only grapes I buy nowadays if they're available

I'm the same way with Rainier cherries. Those are SO damn good and the only cherries I eat anymore. and unlike cotton candy grapes, you CAN grow them from home!

 

[Plies]

I'm a HUGE fan of grapes, and those are pretty much the only grapes I buy nowadays if they're available

They're only available around my way for a few weeks in summer and they sell out quickly, so thanks for mentioning them!

 

[Nocty]

Just give me naga chillies and vindaloo

 

[Plies]

Just give me maga chillies

 

[Bitmap Frogs]

Not native Texans, but Yank immigrants into the state.

My favourite hot sauce maker hails from Texas, they're Yellowbird.

 

[Halo is Back]

Every time I hear about Jalapenos I think about this clip. Gets me everytime...

 

[kevboard]

Jalapeños have always been super mild though. They're a kids version of a chilli.

indeed. I always ate them for the taste, not for their spiciness. but I have noticed that most jalapenos you find these days are relatively mild even for those standards.

you can often barely make out any spice in fact. like I just recently had a pizza with jalapenos from a place nearby, and there was literally zero heat... adding normal black pepper would have been more spicy than those jalapenos.

thankfully you can still get hotter ones in stores tho.

 

[DavidGzz]

Man, even the peppers are getting more and more soy these days. Time to take to the streets and protest this travesty.

 

[NotMyProblemAnymoreCunt]

I love eating these

Chilli Bhajji/Deep Fried Peppers Recipe by Rosalyn John

Crispy, spicy Chilli Bhajji, perfect for snacking or parties. A delicious and easy appetizer! Saved by more than 20 people!

cookpad.com

 

[Dirk Benedict]

I agree. I know how to build capsaicin in peppers, though. I have organic nutrients for each phase of (a) Plant. Veg, Flower, Fruit, ETC.
Summer is here and I want to test my might. I'm going to give it a go. Thank you for posting this. It's the lit match under my ass and also, a reminder!

 

[Sgt.Asher]

I've noticed jalapeños at my grocery store are less sweet bell peppers. So hard to find good spice where I'm at. I can still find serranos.

 

[Dirk Benedict]

I've noticed jalapeños at my grocery store are less sweet bell peppers. So hard to find good spice where I'm at. I can still find serranos.

Hmm... AFAIK a lot of hot peppers tasted sweet to me, but some had a bellpeppery taste as well. I like the sweet ones, but when it comes to eating peppers, I always enjoy them when accompanied with food like burgers, steak, or almost anything. Mashed potatoes, sandwiches.
1 big, crunchy-ass pepper with a hulking big bite and then cram some food in there for a spicy adventure the whole family can love.
In the end, it doesn't matter a whole lot. I also heard peppers grown hydroponically can be almost tasteless but yield incredible heat.

 

[j0hnnix]

So Texans have weak assholes?

^That could be for other reasons.



I have noticed this with Publix Jalepenos. Luckily we just go to local Jalisco and those are just fine here in GA.