Jalapeno peppers have been around for thousands of years, originating in Mexico and Central America. They were first domesticated by the Aztecs and have since become a staple in many cultures. But what's interesting is that the heat level of jalapenos can vary depending on factors like soil quality, climate, and even the time of year they're picked.
So, how do we measure the heat of a jalapeno? Well, it's all about the Scoville scale, which rates peppers based on their capsaicin content - the stuff that gives them their spicy kick. On this scale, jalapenos range from 2,500 to 8,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), which is pretty mild compared to some other peppers out there.
To put that into perspective, the ghost pepper has a whopping 1,041,427 SHU, while the sweet bell pepper has a mere 0 SHU. So, jalapenos are like the Goldilocks of peppers - not too hot, not too cold, but just right for adding a little excitement to your meals.
Which is hotter jalapeno or serrano? – Foodly – Magazine #1 Food
