nalioth 405 Posted August 1, 2009 Report Share Posted August 1, 2009 Ever take home a jalapeño chile pepper from the grocery store and have it either be so lacking in heat it may just as well be a bell pepper, or so hot a speck will create a raging inferno in your mouth? Here's a quick tip for choosing jalapeños that can help you decide which ones to pick. Jalapeño chilies start out mild and progressively get hotter the older they get, eventually turning bright red (and quite hot). As they age, they develop white lines and flecks, like stretch marks running in the direction of the length of the pepper. The smoother the pepper, the younger, and milder it is. The more white lines, the older and hotter. Red jalapeños are the most hot, because they've been maturing the longest. If you are looking for mild jalapeños (say for a stuffed jalapeno dish), pick the chiles without any striations. If you are looking for heat, find a red jalapeño, or a green one with plenty of white stretch marks. Note that this is just a guideline. There is still plenty of variation among individual peppers. You can find hotter-than-Hades peppers without any white lines. But your chances of picking a mild one are better if you go for smooth. Or if you are looking for heat, you will more likely find that in a pepper with lots of lines. Original Article Now you know how to pick the 'hot ones' for your pico de gallo or ceviche . . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Koliadko 207 Posted August 1, 2009 Report Share Posted August 1, 2009 Hell, I just hand it to Shannon to taste. I don't think there is a pepper in the world he wouldn't try. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nailbomb 10,221 Posted August 1, 2009 Report Share Posted August 1, 2009 Nice, I accualy wasn't aware of this, and i'll keep it in mind the next time i make home made salsa. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobra 76 two 2,677 Posted August 1, 2009 Report Share Posted August 1, 2009 As far as jalapeno pepper maturity, this is correct. A fully mature jalapeno will turn bright red and will have these "stretch marks", also referred to as 'netting' in chili pepper circles. They will usually develop the netting before turning red. Different varieties grow differently. There are also some varieties of jalapeno that will fully mature and turn red, but not be hot at all. I try to grow some of each in my garden, so I can put them on the grill, and my guests can eat them too...lol. I've won the blue ribbon at the NC State fair for two years in a row with my fresh jalapenos, and won other blues for some other varieties like the Aji. I would have won it three years running if they hadn't changed the judges around and got someone in there that didn't know their shit, and preferred them to be smooth and green like the ones at the grocery store... They are supposed to be judged by regularity in size, color & shape, and the presence of the netting is a plus. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigcec1 72 Posted August 1, 2009 Report Share Posted August 1, 2009 I feel like I'm on tour at the tabasco plant again hehe but keep up the good work with them there peppers tasty stuff Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bvamp 604 Posted August 1, 2009 Report Share Posted August 1, 2009 Hell, I just hand it to Shannon to taste. I don't think there is a pepper in the world he wouldn't try. I have some carribean reds going right now in my pepper patch. Think he will eat one on film? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nailbomb 10,221 Posted August 1, 2009 Report Share Posted August 1, 2009 I feel like I'm on tour at the tabasco plant again I bet that was a fun tour... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChileRelleno 7,071 Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Hell, I just hand it to Shannon to taste. I don't think there is a pepper in the world he wouldn't try. I have some carribean reds going right now in my pepper patch. Think he will eat one on film? If your talking Scotch Bonnet aka Habanero, pass it over here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigcec1 72 Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 I feel like I'm on tour at the tabasco plant again I bet that was a fun tour... It was pretty cool got alot of free samples then got a few gallons of sauce from the gift shop hehe but its only an hour from the house pretty neat place to visit they have a big garden type thing you can drive threw and look at aligators that are every where in the garden wich is pretty big not like a typical garden Quote Link to post Share on other sites
joelrod47 373 Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Avery Island...........just out of New Iberia............ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigcec1 72 Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Avery Island...........just out of New Iberia............ Yep I thought I put that in there but uhh must have missed that one thanks Jeaux Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GregM1 241 Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 thanks, i knew the red ones were hotter but did not know about the lines. my favorite peppers are birds eye peppers. the really hot ones turn sort of a dark purple. chillerelleno the best mexican dish ever lol what town is the tabasco plant in? i might want to visit one day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigcec1 72 Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Its just outside of New Ibera its Avery Island here is a site with more info http://www.tabasco.com/tabasco_history/avery_island.cfm#targ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GregM1 241 Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 that does look like a nice garden. its not much farther a trip for me than a drive to dallas is. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigcec1 72 Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Yeah its pretty nice if you like the guarden thing rip van winkle guardens are pretty cool to they are about 5 miles from avery island http://www.ripvanwinklegardens.com/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
clifton 354 Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 I am a pepper head,, Good post,, "tip never inject Habanero concentrate into your leg" Playing with hypodermic needles, Blair's death sauce and a pepper is a bad deal. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobra 76 two 2,677 Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 Ahhh...Blair's is some really good stuff. I've got several flavors of that one. I think my favorite is still Endorphin Rush though. It's got a good flavor to go with the heat. I try to stay away from needles. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
David Mark 2,452 Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 Nice post and good info. I find that grilling the peppers (Jalapenos) seems to mellow out the heat also. Anyone else notice this also? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nalioth 405 Posted August 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 Nice post and good info.I find that grilling the peppers (Jalapenos) seems to mellow out the heat also. Anyone else notice this also? You're removing the essential oils when you cook them. Another reason is the usually, folks remove the internal veins before cooking (these contain a lot of the oils). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
David Mark 2,452 Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 Nice post and good info.I find that grilling the peppers (Jalapenos) seems to mellow out the heat also. Anyone else notice this also? You're removing the essential oils when you cook them. Another reason is the usually, folks remove the internal veins before cooking (these contain a lot of the oils). I don't gut them first but the essential oils being burned off somewhat does make sense. Thanks, Nalioth Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Twinsen 86 Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 Thanks, now I have a clue. I've had a jalapeno once that was hotter than any habanero I've had. I was hurting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobra 76 two 2,677 Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 Nice post and good info.I find that grilling the peppers (Jalapenos) seems to mellow out the heat also. Anyone else notice this also? If you dehydrate them it actually makes them hotter. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
David Mark 2,452 Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 Nice post and good info.I find that grilling the peppers (Jalapenos) seems to mellow out the heat also. Anyone else notice this also? If you dehydrate them it actually makes them hotter. The remains of last years crop my friend Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobra 76 two 2,677 Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigcec1 72 Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 (edited) Nice post and good info.I find that grilling the peppers (Jalapenos) seems to mellow out the heat also. Anyone else notice this also? If you dehydrate them it actually makes them hotter. The remains of last years crop my friend Looks like some stuff my friend does dryes all sorts of peppers and makes seasoning usualy turns out like this when he decieds to cook with it and tell no one Edited August 4, 2009 by bigcec1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Justin Antwan 0 Posted September 4, 2009 Report Share Posted September 4, 2009 I have had blue cheese salad dressing........ranch dressing......but the best was a sweet raspberry dip at Arbys which I don't know how to make.......lol......if anybody does?......I HIGHLY recommend it......sounds a little funky but nelieve me......it meshes perfectly......almost like a smooth jelly sauce.......... dining set Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BronCobraJet 80 Posted September 4, 2009 Report Share Posted September 4, 2009 This is a VERY cool thread, Kudos to Nalioth and Cobra 76 for the info and expertise. I have a buddy that like to grow Jalapenos and habeneros, and we used to sit around and eat them off the bush, raw. First one to crack and have to have a beer was the loser! Ha. I had no idea on the stretch marks and such. Thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bvamp 604 Posted September 6, 2009 Report Share Posted September 6, 2009 I almost have enough peppers to whip up some of my own sauce.....yes, Im planning a mixed type of sauce.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bayoupiper 738 Posted September 6, 2009 Report Share Posted September 6, 2009 Does everyone think they can make sauces now? Maybe we should have a Saiga Forums Cookoff. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bvamp 604 Posted September 6, 2009 Report Share Posted September 6, 2009 Actually, Will, I grew up in the same town as the Culinary Institute of America, and worked for several famous chefs, as well as in a few upper class resturaunts.....yet another thing I know how to do well is cook..... Im actually weaponizing some of my crop, making a condiment bottle of sauce (refilling one of cobra's bottles, actually), and making my own sauce out of the rest.....i have to puree the different peppers and mix small amounts to get the right blend that Im going for, still. Cant find some of my kitchen stuff, like my GOOD knife and blender of all things..... you shoulda seen the look on the clerks face when i told him what the pot grinder i bought from him was actually gonna be used for....grinding habenero seed into dust Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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