Jalapeno peppers are the fruits of the Capsicum annuum plant. The jalapeno is America's most popular chili pepper. It originated in Mexico and is named after the Veracruz city of Jalapa. The peppers have a thick, green-colored flesh which turns red as it ripens. When jalapeno peppers are allowed to remain growing on the plant throughout their ripening, most varieties will change colors and their nutrients will increase. Some varieties are even bred to display unusual colors.
NUTRITION AND COLOR
Jalapenos, like all peppers, are rich in vitamins A and C. As they mature, these and other healthy nutrients plus sugars and flavor compounds accumulate in the tissues of the peppers. Generally, the concentration of carotenoids, flavonoids and phenolic acids increase as well. The attractive orange, red and other colors of jalapenos develop in response to the surge in the pigments of these chemicals and the breakdown of the plant's green chlorophyll pigment as it ages.
GREEN JALAPENOS
Most varieties of jalapenos start out being light green in color, and then they grow and develop into a darker green shade. The majority of jalapeno peppers are harvested at the dark green stage when they are at their hottest and most crisp. However, the peppers are not considered to be fully ripe until they turn red. Red jalapenos have a sweeter taste and a less crisp texture than the green ones, but they usually aren't any hotter.
RIPENING COLORS
If green jalapenos are left to ripen, their color will change from dark green to orange and then to a chocolate brown or blackish red color. Some varieties have been bred to create other colors when ripe. The purple jalapeno matures from pale green to purple to red. The fruit of the black jalapeno naturally develops into a purplish black pepper. As the plants become older, some jalapeno varieties also develop small whitish-colored lines on the peppers' surfaces referred to as corking.
USES FOR RED JALAPENOS
Red jalapeno peppers have a sweet taste due to the concentration of the plants sugars. Mixing a few of the red jalapenos into a recipe can lend a spicy taste and attractive and colorful presentation to foods. However, the majority of red jalapenos are used to make chipotle chilis. Chipotles are made by smoking the red jalapeno peppers for two to three hours and then drying them.They are often used in traditional Mexican dishes to give the food a smoky flavor.
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