How Hot Are Jalapeño Peppers: 9 Types

Ultimate guide on How Hot Are Jalapeno Peppers. The jalapeño is a type cultivar of the species Capsicum annuum that is genuinely versatile.

Types of Jalapenos Scoville Spice Units - Mild, Medium & HOT

In terms of flavor, the jalapeño pepper plant can be both sweet and spicy. In terms of color, jalapenos can range from green to red to black. But what makes the jalapeño so unique is its heat level. Jalapenos can be very spicy, depending on the variety.

For the most part, dark green jalapeño typically found at your grocery store have been picked before their maturity, which means that they can't develop a level of spicy/heat, which results in them tasting milder and sometimes even sweet!

It turns out that red jalapeño are more mature than green ones and have higher fiery levels to show for them.

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How Hot Are Jalapeno Peppers

For anyone who enjoys spicy food, jalapeno peppers are a must-have ingredient. But how hot are jalapeno peppers? Jalapeno peppers range in heat from 2,500 to 5,000 Scoville heat units (SHU). To put that into perspective, bell peppers have a rating of 0 SHU, while habanero peppers boast a whopping 350,000 SHU. So, jalapeno peppers are definitely on the milder end of the spectrum.

What Do Jalapeno Peppers Taste Like?

Most people say that jalapeno peppers taste earthy, fruity, and spicy. Some also say that they can taste smoky or herbaceous. The spiciness can vary depending on how ripe they are.

For example, green jalapeño peppers are less spicy than red jalapeño peppers. Additionally, the heat from jalapeno peppers is concentrated in the seeds and ribs, so removing them before eating or cooking can produce a milder flavor.

When eaten raw, fresh jalapeno peppers have a bright, sharp flavor. When cooked, their flavor is often described as mellower and sweeter.

Scoville Scale To Measure Spice Level

The Scoville scale measures the level of Capsaicin/spice in a pepper. The higher numbers on this system represent hotter peppers, which have been measured at more than 2 million SHU (Scoville Heat Units).

Cooks and chefs alike need to know how many they are using because some may be too powerful if not appropriately diluted and balanced.

Jalapeno Scoville Units - Capsaicin

Jalapeno peppers typically range from 2,500 to 5,000 units on the Scoville scale. However, some can reach up to 10,000 units on the scale.

The hottest part of the jalapeno is its capsaicin and related compounds concentrated in vesicles found within the placenta membrane.

Types of Mild Jalapenos 🌶️

There are several different types of mild jalapenos on the market. Here is a look at a comprehensive list.

🌶️ Chilipeno Hybrids

jalapeño chili peppers are hot, with the exception of Chilipeno Hybrids. These types come from Mexico and have a red color when fully ripe but offer no real spice like their other mild cousins, and do not even max out on the spice scale at 8,000 and are usually found much closer to 2,000-3,000(SHU).

3- to 5 inches length by 1- to 1.25-inch width

🌶️ Chichimeca Jalapenos

Chichimeca Jalapenos are among the most mild-mannered types, with a Scoville heat level that can range anywhere between 3,000 and 8,000 (SHU). They make up for their lack of spiciness by packing a big punch when it comes to size; they rank as one of the largest jalapenos peppers around.

3 to 4 inches length by  ½ inch width / Chichimeca Jalapenos are grown in Mexico.

🌶️ Mammoth Jalapenos

Mammoth Jalapeno is a variety of pepper that can grow up to 5 inches long and as much as two inches in diameter on the plant. It has only enough capsaicin to capture between 1,000 to 5,000 (SHU), making them less spicy than other varieties on the market today.

Mammoth Jalapenos are from "the heart of jalapeño country." This likely means that they are from Mexico, where the majority of jalapeños are grown.

🌶️ Fuego / Jalafuego Jalapenos

Fuego is Spanish for "heat." Fuejos usually weigh between 4,000 - 8,000 (SHU) (Scoville heat units), making them one of the hottest types on average compared to other jalapeno peppers' capsicum levels. Fuego's average at 6 inches long, or almost 3 inches longer than usual jalapeno peppers.

🌶️ Mucho Nacho Jalapenos

The Mucho Nacho Jalapeno pepper is another one that sits in the 4,000 – 8,000 sweet spot on the Scoville scale. Mucho Nacho Jalapeno pepper can have a lot of heat, so be careful when biting into these fresh chilis!

They are a medium-hot pepper with a fruity, slightly sweet flavor. Jalafuego Jalapenos are typically used in salsas, sauces, and as a garnish on Mexican dishes.

4-inch fruits are fatter than regular peppers. These thicker cylinders of fire come in various colors, including green or red, depending on how long they've been growing under the sun- but no matter what color they turn when mature, these chiles still give you more heat than most other types out there.

🌶️ Jaloro Peppers

Jaloro Pepper is a type of chile pepper that turns from yellow to red when left unharvested. Coming at 5,000 on the Scoville scale makes them not hot peppers. It can be used at any stage in its maturity, but it commonly becomes popular while still being green and tender with layers upon layers before maturing fully into an orange-red fruitiness.

They are long and thin and have a slightly spicy flavor. The juicy flesh has thick walls, so they're great for making salsas or nachos! You'll Jaloro Pepper adds just enough heat without overwhelming your taste bud too much.

Types Of HOT Jalapenos Peppers 🌶️

There are several different types of HOT jalapenos on the market. Here is a look at a comprehensive list.

🌶️ Biker Billy Jalapenos

Billy Biker Jalapeno is named after the TV personality who loves them hot. Biker Billy Jalapenos are so hot that they can routinely reach 30,000 SHU, which is one hot pepper. Yet they can be as low as 10,000. For reference, cayenne peppers only have 15,000 to 25,000 Scoville heat units (SHUs). This means these jalapeños would be classified as being in their own league. 

🌶️ Black Jalapenos

Black jalapenos are one of the most Dominant peppers on earth due to their dark hue. They can come out tasting relatively mild or have a Scoville heat unit as high as 10,000 (SHU).

🌶️ Purple Jalapenos

Purple Jalapenos are capsicums that mature to an incredible hue of purple before ripening out spicy and sweet. Not only do these colorful peppers come with an impressive 5,000 to 8,000 Scoville Heat Units, but their significant spice factor makes them popular among chili enthusiasts.

How To Store and Freeze Jalapenos

If you are going to store jalapenos, it is best to keep them in a cool, dark place. They keep easy in the refrigerator, or you can store them in a cellar or barn.

Make sure to keep them dry, as moisture can cause them to spoil. You can store jalapenos in a jar, or you can freeze them. If you are going to freeze them, it is best to do so in a vacuum sealed bag. This will help to keep them fresh for longer.

Health Warning

Learn more about the effect of spicy pepper on the body;

Capsaicin, the Spicy Ingredient of Chili Peppers: Effects on Gastrointestinal Tract and Composition of Gut Microbiota at Various Dosages

How To Choose The Right Jalapeno Pepper For Your Needs

When selecting a jalapeno, it is important to consider the level of heat you are looking for. The most common type of jalapeno pepper is the smooth-skinned variety. These peppers range in heat from mild to very hot. There are also a few different types of jalapeno peppers with wrinkled or bumpy skin. These peppers are usually more fiery than the smooth skinned variety.

If you are looking for a mild pepper, choose a smooth skinned jalapeno that is green in color. If you want a hotter pepper, choose one that turns red. The red jalapenos are usually the hottest of the bunch.

When shopping for jalapeno peppers, be sure to select ones that are firm and bright in color. Avoid peppers that are soft or have blemishes. Once you have selected the perfect pepper, be sure to wash it well before using it.