I love cooking with jalapenos, adding a spicy flavor to many dishes. Sometimes I find jalapenos with brown or darker seeds instead of the usual white ones.
I then wonder if you should eat jalapenos with brown seeds. The answer is yes, as they should be acceptable for human consumption. But, if there are any signs of white or grayish mold fuzz inside or around the seeds, do not eat and discard the jalapeno.
What Color Are Jalapeno Seeds Supposed to Be?
Cutting into a jalapeno pepper reveals tiny, moist, off-white, or light cream-colored seeds. When the seeds ripen or rot, they become more of a deeper brown shade.
How to Identify Bad Jalapenos
Jalapenos can go bad. But, there are some ways to identify jalapenos that are beyond their prime and should not be eaten. Some of these indicators include the following:
- Moldy jalapenos – They should be avoided or tossed
- Wrinkled pods – These jalapenos may be okay for consumption, but the flavor may be off
- Rotten jalapenos – Avoid jalapenos with brown spots as they are beginning to rot.
How to Identify Healthy Jalapenos
When purchasing jalapenos, try to buy the best peppers possible. To identify the best jalapeno peppers, look for the following:
- Select firm jalapenos – Try to buy the best peppers that are smooth and firm
- Choosing spicier peppers – Look for jalapenos that have growth lines or stretch marks
- Vibrant green or deep red – Either color can say the jalapeno is ready to eat or use in cooking
How to Check How Hot the Jalapenos Are
Have you ever wondered how to select a jalapeno pepper based on its spiciness? Some subtle clues show how hot or spicy the jalapeno pepper may be. These clues to looking for spiciness include the following:
- Stretch marks or white lines – Jalapeno peppers under stress make spicier peppers. Peppers with stretch marks show peppers have been under stress. Like the vertical white lines, they usually are spicier jalapeno peppers.
- Red jalapeno peppers – Red peppers have remained on the vine longer. If left on the vine longer, the green pepper turns red and usually produces a sweeter, hotter pepper.
- Smooth peppers – Smooth green peppers are not as spicy as peppers with stretch marks or white lines.
What Makes Jalapeno Peppers Hot?
The ingredient in peppers that creates heat is the chemical Capiscian. This chemical concentrates more around the seeds and in the rib area of the pepper. So, usually, the hottest part of the pepper is around the seeds or in the rib area, with the tips being less spicy.
How to Bring Down the Heat in a Jalapeno Pepper
Even with hot jalapeno peppers, you can reduce the pepper’s heat. First, slice the pepper vertically, then scrape away the inner rib area and seeds. Make sure to keep your hands away from your face or wear gloves when handling them.
Sometimes the pepper may need more heat after removing the seeds. Add the seeds back to the dish until reaching the proper heat.
How Should You Store Jalapeno Peppers?
There are many ways to store Jalapeno peppers. These include pickling or drying, but these methods may alter the texture or taste of the pepper. This article only addresses storing fresh peppers. Also, wash them when ready to eat, not before refrigeration.
Keeping jalapeno peppers fresh requires refrigeration after sitting out for a few days. Storing them on the counter wrapped in plastic is okay but should be placed in the refrigerator. Moving the peppers to the refrigerator would be best before they deteriorate. Once in the refrigerator, they should be suitable for a week or so.
Jalapeno Peppers Little Known Fun Facts
These are some of the little-known, fun facts about jalapeno peppers. Who would have known?
You Thought a Jalapeno Pepper Was a Vegetable?
Jalapeno peppers are classified as a fruit. And why is that? Because the pepper adheres to the definition of a fruit being fleshy with many seeds inside.
How Did the Jalapeno Pepper Get Its Name?
The jalapeno pepper is named after the city of Jalapa in the Mexican state of Veracruz.
Are Jalapeno Peppers Only Green?
Although jalapeno peppers are green, they can also be red, orange, or even yellow.
How Hot Are Jalapeno Peppers?
Jalapeno’s score is between 2,000 and 9,000 Scoville heat units, which places them between mild and hot. For example, Serrano peppers run between 10,000 and 23,000 Scoville heat units. They are much hotter than jalapeno peppers.
Jalapeno Peppers Found in Space
The little jalapeno pepper is not only found worldwide but also in space. The pepper traveled into space aboard the NASA space shuttle.
Do Jalapeno Peppers Provide Health Benefits?
Jalapeno peppers contain many antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and flavonoids. Also, they are a low-calorie food with many anti-inflammatory properties. This is due to their chemical ingredient, Capsaicin.
Among the many benefits of jalapeno peppers are the following:
- Nasal congestion relief – Capsaicin has heat to help clear the sinuses and chest air passages.
- Weight loss – Jalapeno peppers mimic the chemical Capsaicin. This chemical has proved to be effective in weight-loss pills to burn fat and calories.
- Relieve arthritis – The ingredient Capsaicin has effective anti-inflammatory properties to reduce inflammation.
- Migraine relief – Capsaicin has been demonstrated as effective in providing relief for migraine headaches.
- Immunity protection – One serving (about 14 grams or one pepper) delivers about 60%-70% of daily Vitamin C needs.
- Nervous system benefits – Jalapeno peppers are plentiful with minerals, vitamins and amino acids, which enhance the health of the nervous system.