Texas Skills: How To Pick The Best Jalapenos

The flavor of the jalapeno pepper is a mainstay in Tex-Mex cuisine. Everyone's tolerance for this versatile pepper is different.

To add to the level of difficulty, every jalapeno pepper is different. According to mikeyvsfood.com they range from 2,500 to 8,000 SHU.

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That is a big margin if you are trying to avoid making your food too spicy to eat. There is a way to mitigate that burn and get plenty of the jalapeno flavor in your Texas kitchen.

Look For Stretch Marks On Your Jalapenos

In perfect conditions with few predators, jalapenos grow green and smooth. If they are left on the plant longer, they will eventually turn red.

Even after they are picked, green jalapenos will turn red if you leave them out of the refrigerator. This will be the hottest and the sweetest the pepper will ever be.

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The more stretch marks you see on a jalapeno, the hotter they will be. Getting less water at certain times will create these white, stress flecks and are a good indication that you have a hot one on your hands. If it's red and has lots of white lines on it, get ready for the full 8,000 SHU potential of the mighty jalapeno.

Sure Fire Way To Cool Down Those Hot Texas Jalapenos

If you have a jalapeno with lots of flecks and you want to lower the capsaicin levels (the compound responsible for the heat) and be able to eat those jalapeno poppers, you need to soak them. Cut them in half, take out all the seeds, and rinse or even soak them to get them as mild as you like.