Jalapeño
475861
225798635
2008-07-15T13:27:40Z
62.25.109.195
/* Foods */
{{Taxobox
| name = Jalapeño
| image = Illustration Capsicum annuum0.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| subclassis = [[Asteridae]]
| ordo = [[Solanales]]
| familia = [[Solanaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Capsicum]]''
| species = '''''C. annuum'''''
| binomial = ''Capsicum annuum''
}}
{{Pepper
| image=chilli25.jpg
| boxwidth=240px
| heat=Medium ([[Scoville scale|SR]]: 2,500-'''8,000''')
}}
The '''jalapeño''' ([[Nahuatl]]: '''xalapeño''' ({{pron-en|ˌhæləˈpiːnoʊ}} or {{IPA|/ˌhæləˈpeɪnjoʊ/}}; <small>Castilian</small> {{IPA-es|xalaˈpeɲo}}, <small>Mexican</small> {{IPA-es|halaˈpeɲo}}) is a medium to large size [[chili pepper]] which is prized for its warm, burning sensation when eaten. Ripe, the jalapeño can be 2–3½ inches (5–9 cm) long and is commonly sold when still green. It is a [[cultivar]] of the species ''[[Capsicum annuum]]'' originating in [[Mexico]]. It is named after the town of [[Xalapa, Veracruz]], where it was traditionally produced. 160 square kilometres are dedicated for the cultivation of jalapeño in [[Mexico]] alone, primarily in the [[Papaloapan]] river basin in the north of the state of [[Veracruz]] and in the [[Delicias, Chihuahua]] area. Jalapeños are also cultivated on smaller scales in [[Jalisco]], [[Nayarit]], [[Sonora]], [[Sinaloa]] and [[Chiapas]]. The jalapeño is known by different names throughout Mexico, such as [[cuaresmeño]]s, huachinangos, and chiles gordos.
[[As of 1999]], {{convert|5500|acre|km2|0|abbr=on}} in the United States were dedicated to the cultivation of jalapeños. Most jalapeños were produced in southern New Mexico and western Texas.
Jalapeños are a pod type of ''Capsicum''. The growing period for a jalapeño plant is 70–80 days. When mature, the plant stands two and a half to three feet tall. Typically, a single plant will produce twenty five to thirty five pods. During a growing period, a plant will be picked multiple times. As the growing season comes to an end, the jalapeños start to turn red. The fresh market consists of green jalapeños, and red jalapeños are considered inferior. Growers often either discard the red jalapeños into the ground or use them for the production of [[chipotle]]s. [[Image:JalapenoStemPod.JPG|thumb|left|200px|A Jalapeño plant with pods. The purple strips on the stem are [[anthocyanin]], due to the growth under blue-green spectrum fluorescent lightning.]]
==Culinary properties==
The jalapeño rates between 2,500 and 10,000 [[Scoville scale|Scoville]] units in heat. In comparison with other chili peppers, the jalapeño has a heat level that varies from mild to hot depending on cultivation and preparation. The heat, which is caused by [[capsaicin]] and related compounds, is concentrated in the veins (placenta) surrounding the seeds, which are called picante. — deseeding and deveining can reduce the heat imparted to a recipe that includes jalapeños. They also have a distinct acidic taste. Handling fresh jalapeños may cause mild skin irritation in some individuals. Some handlers choose to wear latex or vinyl gloves while cutting, skinning, or seeding jalapeños.
==Foods==
<br />
[[Image:JalapenoPeppers.JPG|thumb|right|200px|A crude method of determining the heat level of jalapeño is to visually observe the number of scars present on the skin. Laboratory analysis of the above peppers showed them to have an average [[Scoville scale]] of 1980, 2350, 3620, 4450, and 7700 from the top pepper to the bottom.]]
*A '''[[chipotle]]''' is a jalapeño that has been [[smoking (food)|smoked]]. It is often found in [[adobo sauce]].
*'''[[Jalapeño jelly]]''', while not commercially available in as wide an area as other jalapeño products, can be prepared in a method similar to other [[fruit preserves|jellies]]. [http://tabasco.com/taste_tent/recipes/recipe.cfm?id=133&catid=9&name=Jalapeño_Jelly] [http://www.cooks.com/rec/search/0,1-0,jalapeno_jelly,FF.html]
*'''[[Armadillo eggs]]''' are stuffed jalapeños, a popular 1990s American dish. [http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/texas/entry/armadillo_eggs_stuffed_jalapenos/]
*'''[[Texas toothpicks]]''' are jalapeño peppers and onions that are shaved into straws, lightly breaded, and deep fried. [http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/texas/entry/texas_toothpick_onion_and_jalapeno_strips/]
*Oddly, jalapeños are a principal ingredient in the alternative soda [[Blue Brainwash]].
*'''[[Jalapeño Slammers]]''' are a popular appetizer made of jalapeño peppers wrapped in pastrami, lightly breaded, and deep fried.
*'''[[Jalapeño popper|Jalapeño Poppers]]''' are a popular appetizer made of jalapeño peppers stuffed with cheese, usually cheddar, which are then breaded and deep fried
*'''[[Texas torpedo]]''' is another name for cheese-stuffed jalapeños. [http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/texas/entry/texas_torpedo/]
*Jalapeños are a common ingredient in most kinds of '''[[salsa (sauce)|salsa]]'''.
*Sliced jalapeños (usually [[pickling|pickled]] in dilute [[vinegar#white|spirit vinegar]]) are often used as an addition to a number of common dishes including [[tacos]], [[burritos]], and sometimes even [[sandwiches]], [[hot dogs]], and [[pizza]]. These jalapeños are often known as '''[[Nacho Rings]]''', from their popular use in ''[[Nachos]]'' (a dish of [[tortilla chips]] with [[salsa]], [[chilli con carne]], melted cheese and [[sour cream|soured cream]]).
==Health effects==
Jalapeños contain a substance called [[capsaicin]] that has shown to have anti-cancer effects. However the amount needed to achieve this effect is relatively high, with up to eight [[Habanero chile|habanero peppers]] per week (roughly equivalent to 24 jalapeños). {{Fact|date=February 2008}}
[[Image:Jalapenyo.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Peppers]]
==See also==
* [[List of capsicum cultivars]]
==External links==
* [http://www.jalapenomadness.com Jalapeño Madness - Information and links dedicated to the jalapeño pepper.]
* [http://www.thechilliking.com/Growing.shtml Chili growing guide]
{{cookbook}}
{{commons|Capsicum annuum}}
{{Herbs & spices}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jalapeno}}
[[Category:Chili peppers]]
[[Category:Spanish loanwords]]
[[Category:Mexican cuisine]]
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