Question
QUESTION: Hello I grow jalapenos in my back yard, but when I pick them they are not hot. What are the secrate(s) for making them hot?

ANSWER: Jake:

Jalapenos are about 2500 on the Scoville scale for hotness. You might try habaneros on the scale at about 10,000 if you like it hot. Jalapenos are widely used because of their flavor and not being so hot. I grow them commercially in Thailand and they are used extensively in sandwich shops and Mexican restaurants.

Best wishes and good growing.

Don Battles

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well compared to the ones we buy. Our are sweet how do wee mkae them accualy hot.

Answer
Jake:

What you see is what you get. In order to get a little more heat try cutting the tops off a few. Take the seeds and membrane out and pack a few to the top and try those. This should give you a little zing. There are no growing techniques that I know of to make them hotter as by nature they are a mild pepper.

Best wishes.

Don