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Jalapeño
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Immature jalapeños still in the plant pot
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| Heat |
Hot |
| Scoville scale |
2,500–10,000 |
The jalapeño ( or , Spanish pronunciation: [xalaˈpeɲo] ( listen)) is a medium-sized chili pepper pod type cultivar of the species Capsicum annuum.[1] A mature jalapeño fruit is 5–10 cm (2–4 in) long and hangs down with a round, firm, smooth flesh. It is of mild to medium pungency, 2,500 and 10,000 Scoville units in general. It is commonly picked and consumed while still green, but occasionally it is allowed to fully ripen and turn crimson red; and other cultivar variations of the same pod type exist.The Chile Pepper Institute is known for developing colored variations.[2][3][4][5][6]
Contents
- 1 History/Etymology
- 2 Cultivation of Jalapeños
- 3 Health Benefits/Concerns
- 4 Other Information
- 5 Serving methods
- 6 See also
- 7 References
- 8 External links
History/Etymology
The jalapeño is variously named as huachinango and chile gordo in Mexico. The cuaresmeño closely resembles the jalapeño; its seeds have the heat of a jalapeño, but the flesh has a mild flavor close to a green bell pepper.
The name jalapeño is Spanish for "from Xalapa" (also spelled Jalapa), a town in Veracruz, Mexico, where the pepper was traditionally cultivated. The name Xalapa is itself of Nahuatl origin, formed from roots xālli [ˈʃaːlːi] "sand" and āpan [ˈaːpan] "water place."
Cultivation of Jalapeños
As of 1999[update], 5,500 acres (22 km2) in the United States were dedicated to the cultivation of jalapeños.[citation needed] According to the USDA, starting since 2010, California produces the most Jalapenos followed by New Mexico and Texas, for a total of 462.5 million pounds of peppers in 2014.[7][8][9] About 160 km2 (40,000 acres)[citation needed] are dedicated for the cultivation in Mexico, primarily in the Papaloapan River basin in the center of the state of Veracruz and in the Delicias, Chihuahua, area. Jalapeños are cultivated on smaller scales in Jalisco, Nayarit, Sonora, Sinaloa, and Chiapas.[citation needed]
Jalapeños are a pod type of capsicum. The growing period is 70–80 days. When mature, the plant stands 70–90 cm (28–35 in) tall. Typically, a plant produces 25 to 35 pods. During a growing period, a plant will be picked multiple times. As the growing season ends, the peppers turn red, as seen in Sriracha sauce. Jalapeños thrive in a number of soil types and temperatures, though they prefer warmer climates, provided they have adequate water. Once picked, individual peppers may turn to red of their own accord. The peppers can be eaten green or red. Though usually grown as an annual they are perennial and if protected from frost can produce during multiple years, as with all Capsicum annuum.
Jalapeño's are subject to root rot and foliar blight, both often caused by Phytophthora capsici; over-watering worsens the condition as the fungus grows best in warm wet environments, however the cause is not itself over-watering but the fungus. Crop rotation can help, and resistant strains of Jalapeño, such as the NuMex Vaquero and TAM Mild Jalapeño, have been and are being bred as this is of major commercial impact throughout the world. [10][11] As Jalapeños are a cultivar the diseases are common to capsicum annuum: Verticillium wilt, Cercospora capsici, Powdery mildew, Colletotrichum capsici (Ripe Rot), Erwinia carotovora (Soft Rot), Beet curly top virus, Tospovirus (Tomato spotted wilt virus), Pepper mottle virus , Tobacco mosaic virus , Pepper Geminiviridae, and Root-knot nematode being among the major commercially important diseases. [12][13][14]
After harvest Jalapeños should be stored at 7.5°C (45°F) for a shelf life of up to 3-5 weeks. Jalapeños produce 0.1-0.2 µl/kg•hr of ethylene which is very low for chiles and do not respond to ethylene treatment. Holding Jalapeños at 20-25°C and high humidity can be used to complete the ripening of picked Jalapeños. A hot water dip of 55°C [130°F] for 4 minutes is used to kill off molds that may exist on the picked peppers without damaging them. [15] The majority of Jalapeños are wet processed, canned or pickled, on harvesting for use in mixes, prepared food products, and salsas. [16]
Health Benefits/Concerns
Compared to other chillies, the jalapeño heat level varies from mild to hot depending on cultivation and preparation and can have between 2,500 and 10,000 Scoville units. The number of scars on the pepper, which appear as small brown lines, called 'corking', has a positive correlation with heat level, as growing conditions which increase heat level also cause the pepper to form scars.[17] For US consumer markets 'corking' is considered as unattractive, in other markets it is a looked for trait particularly in pickled or oil preserved jalapeños. [18]
The majority of the capsaicin and related compounds are concentrated in the placenta membrane surrounding the seeds.[19] If fresh chili peppers come in contact with the skin, eyes, lips or other membranes, irritation can occur; some people who are particularly sensitive wear latex or vinyl gloves while handling peppers, if irritation does occur washing the oils off with hot soapy water and applying vegetable oil to the skin may help.[20][21] When preparing jalapeños, hands should not come in contact with the eyes as this leads to burning and redness.[22][23][24]
Jalapeños are a low-acid food with a pH of 4.8-6.0 depending on maturity and individual pepper. Improperly canned Jalapeños can have Botulism and in 1977 home-canned Jalapeños led to the largest outbreak of botulism in the US in over a century. [25] [26] If canned or pickled Jalapeños appear gassy, mushy, moldy, or have a disagreeable odor, discard the food and boil the jar, lid and contents for 30 minutes in water, scrub all surfaces that may have come in contact with it, and wash all clothing and hands; discarding sponges or towels used in the cleanup in a plastic bag. [27]
Jalapeño juice is often used as a remedy for seasonal allergies and clearing sinuses from colds [28] and cardiovascular problems.[29]
Peppers, jalapeno, raw
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) |
| Energy |
121.336 kJ (29.000 kcal) |
|
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Carbohydrates
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6.50 g
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| Sugars |
4.12 g |
| Dietary fiber |
2.8 g |
|
|
Fat
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0.37 g
|
|
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Protein
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0.91 g
|
|
| Vitamins |
| Vitamin A equiv. |
(7%)
54 μg |
| Thiamine (B1) |
(3%)
0.040 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) |
(6%)
0.070 mg |
| Niacin (B3) |
(9%)
1.28 mg |
| Vitamin B6 |
(32%)
0.42 mg |
| Folate (B9) |
(7%)
27 μg |
| Vitamin C |
(143%)
118.6 mg |
| Vitamin E |
(24%)
3.58 mg |
| Vitamin K |
(18%)
18.5 μg |
|
| Trace metals |
| Calcium |
(1%)
12 mg |
| Iron |
(2%)
0.25 mg |
| Magnesium |
(4%)
15 mg |
| Phosphorus |
(4%)
26 mg |
| Potassium |
(5%)
248 mg |
| Sodium |
(0%)
3 mg |
| Zinc |
(1%)
0.14 mg |
|
| Other constituents |
| Water |
91.69 g |
| Capsaicin |
0.01g – 6 g |
- Units
- μg = micrograms • mg = milligrams
- IU = International units
|
Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults.
Source: USDA Nutrient Database |
Other Information
The Jalapeño is the state pepper of Texas adopted in 1995.[30][31] Jalapeños have flown in space, first reported as flying on the Space Shuttle Columbia during STS-5 in 1982, they were taken on board by William B. Lenoir given to him by fellow Astronaut Sherwood C. Spring "Woody", who had grown them, and the mission logs record: "'tell Woody the jalapenos are outstanding.'". [32][33][34] In 2008, fresh jalapeños from Mexico were tested positive for Salmonella leading the FDA to believe that the peppers were responsible for much of the 2008 United States salmonellosis outbreak. The Guinness World Records for most jalapeños eaten in a minute is 16 by Alfredo Hernandes on 17 September 2006 at La Costeña Feel the Heat Challenge in Chicago, IL, USA.[35] Patrick Bertoletti holds the Major League Eating jalapeño records at 275 pickled jalapenos in 8 minutes on May 1, 2011, and 191 pickled jalapeños in 6.5 minutes on Sept. 16 2007 in the 'Short-Form'. [36]
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Halfway ripe jalapeño in a planter box in New Jersey in September
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A jalapeño plant with pods. The purple strips on the stem are anthocyanin, due to the growth under blue-green spectrum fluorescent lighting
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Ripened jalapeños, red in color
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Serving methods
Jalapeño peppers wrapped in crescent rolls
- Stuffed jalapeños are hollowed out fresh jalapeños (served cooked or raw) that are stuffed, often with a mix containing seafood, red meat, poultry, and/or cheese.[37]
- Pickled jalapeños, a type of Pickled pepper, sliced or whole, are often served hot or cold on top of nachos, which are tortilla chips with melted cheese on top, a traditional Tex-Mex dish [38]
- Chipotles are smoked, ripe jalapeños.
- Jalapeño jelly, which is a Pepper jelly, can be prepared using jelling methods.[39]
- Jalapeño peppers are often muddled and served in mixed drinks.[40][41]
- Jalapeño poppers are an appetizer; jalapeños are stuffed with cheese, usually cheddar or cream cheese, breaded or wrapped in bacon, and cooked.[42][43]
- Armadillo eggs are jalapeños or similar chilis stuffed with cheese, coated in seasoned sausage meat and wrapped in bacon. The "eggs" are then grilled until the bacon starts to crisp.
- Chiles toreados are fresh jalapeños that are sauteed in oil until the skin is blistered all over. They are sometimes served with melted cheese on top.
- Texas toothpicks are jalapeños and onions shaved into straws, lightly breaded, and deep fried.[44]
- Chopped jalapeños are a common ingredient in many salsas and chilis.
- Jalapeño slices are commonly served in Vietnamese pho.[45][46][47]
See also
- Capsicum (Pepper family)
- Habanero
- List of North American hot sauces
- Tex-Mex
- Washington's Birthday Celebration in Laredo, Texas, which includes the annual Jalapeño Festival in February
- Salsa
- Scoville scale
References
- ^ http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/php/review/2003/chile/
- ^ http://www.rareseeds.com/purple-jalapeno-pepper/
- ^ http://www.chilepepperinstitute.org/cart/product/256/numex_jalapeno_orange_spice/
- ^ http://www.chilepepperinstitute.org/cart/product/255/numex_jalapeno_lemon_spice/
- ^ http://www.chilepepperinstitute.org/cart/product/254/numex_jalapeno_pumpkin_spice/
- ^ http://www.chilepepperinstitute.org/cart/product/53/numex_piata/
- ^ http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1241
- ^ http://www.agmrc.org/commodities__products/vegetables/bell-and-chili-peppers/
- ^ http://www.ers.usda.gov/media/1834600/vgs-355.pdf
- ^ http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/factsheets/Cucurbit_Phytoph.htm
- ^ http://www.chilepepperinstitute.org/content/files/HortSciVaquero.pdf
- ^ http://www.chilepepperinstitute.org/diseases_disorders_and_insects.php
- ^ http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/php/review/2003/chile/
- ^ http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/circ549.html
- ^ http://postharvest.ucdavis.edu/pfvegetable/ChilePeppers/
- ^ http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/research/horticulture/CTF8/welcome.html
- ^ http://www.pnas.org/content/105/33/11808.full
- ^ http://postharvest.ucdavis.edu/pfvegetable/ChilePeppers/
- ^ http://www.pnas.org/content/105/33/11808.full
- ^ http://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cooking-techniques/handling-hot-peppers/
- ^ http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/chili-pepper-burns-topic-overview
- ^ http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/eye-injuries-cooking-kitchen
- ^ http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/capsaicin
- ^ http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9923296
- ^ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/707476
- ^ http://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/johns-hopkins-center-for-public-health-preparedness/tips/topics/Biologic_Weapons/botulinum.htm
- ^ http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/pdf/8004.pdf
- ^ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21802026
- ^ http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=927052&fulltextType=RC&fileId=S0007114506001991
- ^ http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/74r/billtext/html/HC00105F.HTM
- ^ http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Resources/StateSymbols.aspx
- ^ http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/9-12/features/F_Fruits_and_Vegetables_Space_prt.htm
- ^ http://www.tulsaworld.com/obituaries/space-shuttle-astronaut-bill-lenoir-killed-in-bicycle-accident/article_e26a52d4-a131-551a-b541-856efded24ee.html
- ^ https://archive.org/stream/STS-5/Sts-5A-gTranscript_djvu.txt
- ^ http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-jalapeno-chilli-peppers-eaten-in-one-minute
- ^ http://www.majorleagueeating.com/records.php
- ^ http://www.food.com/recipe/grilled-stuffed-jalapenos-458983
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/nachos_92445
- ^ http://www.food.com/recipe/jalapeno-jelly-312033
- ^ http://www.food.com/recipe/jalape-o-caipirinha-cocktail-114227
- ^ http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/jalapeno-margaritas-recipe.html
- ^ Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers Recipe - Food.com.
- ^ Cheesy Jalapeno Poppers Are Bacon Wrapped Appetizers.
- ^ The Big Apple blog, Texas Toothpick
- ^ http://www.food.com/recipe/vietnamese-beef-pho-30543
- ^ http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/vietnamese-noodle-soup-recipe.html
- ^ http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/pho-ga-vietnamese-chicken-noodle-soup-recipe.html
External links
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Wikibooks Cookbook has a recipe/module on
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jalapeño. |
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Look up jalapeño in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
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Capsicum cultivars
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| C. annuum var. annuum |
Aleppo · Banana pepper · Bell pepper · Bird's eye · Cascabel · Cayenne · Chilaca · Chungyang red pepper · Cubanelle · De árbol · Dundicut · Facing heaven · Fresno · Friggitello · Guajillo · Hungarian wax · Jalapeño · Medusa · Mulato · New Mexico (Anaheim) · Padrón · Pasilla · Peter · Pimiento · Poblano · Santa Fe Grande · Serrano · Shishito
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| C. annuum var. glabriusculum |
Piquín · Wild chiltepin
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| C. chinense |
Adjuma · Ají dulce · Bhut jolokia · 'Carolina Reaper' · Datil · Fatalii · Habanero · Hainan yellow lantern · 'Madame Jeanette' · 'Red Savina' habanero · Scotch bonnet · Trinidad moruga scorpion · Trinidad scorpion 'Butch T'
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| C. frutescens |
African bird's eye · Kambuzi · Malagueta · Siling labuyo · Tabasco
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| C. baccatum |
Ají · Bishop's crown · Lemon drop · Peppadew
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| C. pubescens |
Rocoto pepper
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