The jalapeno is the most popular spicy pepper in the world. It’s actually a chili pepper, which means it’s also the most popular of the chili variety. For as long as it’s been a staple in spicy cuisine, it has been synonymous with the color green, but jalapenos can be red, too! I didn’t even realize this until I picked up a red one from our local farmers market not long before writing this.
The Difference Between Red and Green Jalapenos…
The main difference between the red and green peppers are how far along they are in their ripeness. Red jalapenos are left on the vine longer, which gives them more time to ripen and acquire their red color. You can even find jalapenos that are a mixture of red and green.
Is One Spicier than the Other?
Yes! Red jalapenos are spicier than green ones. And if you’ve ever had a green jalapeno before, especially a fresh one, then you know they are plenty hot enough. Only true lovers of spicy food will appreciate the red ones more than the green.
Where to Find Red Jalapenos…
Red jalapenos are less common than green ones, and they are much harder to come by. It’s not likely that you will ever see one in your local grocery store, but speciality food stores might be one place you can come across them. As I mentioned earlier, I found mine at a local farmers market. You can also buy them online, but so far I’ve only seen them being sold online either canned or jarred, not fresh or dried.
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