12 unique jalapeño varieties to spice up your life

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Jalapeños are the most popular spicy pepper in the US — you’ll find them in nearly every grocery store. But did you know there are a number of varieties of jalapeños, each with unique characteristics?

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Through careful breeding, jalapeño varieties have been tailored to possess desirable traits, from color and size to flavor, heat, and disease resistance.

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Lemon Spice Jalapeños

Cream Section Separator Among the NuMex pepper varieties, lemon spice jalapeños stand out with their visually striking bright yellow fruit. Their (SHU) range falls between 2,500 and 5,000, making them slightly milder than standard jalapeños. Image credit: “You probably don’t know this ‘Wannabe’ Spice Girl.” by krossbow is licensed under CC BY 2.0. Image credit: “You probably don’t know this ‘Wannabe’ Spice Girl.” by krossbow is licensed under CC BY 2.0. See all varieties

These peppers, reaching lengths of up to 5 inches, are perfect for stuffing due to their substantial size. They retain the same flavor and heat profile as standard jalapeños, making them a familiar and spicy choice.

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Jalafuego peppers

Cream Section Separator Jalafuego peppers, falling into the category of giant varieties, reach lengths of approximately 4 inches. Despite their substantial size, these peppers pack a fiery punch, with the mildest one coming in at 4,000 SHU. See all varieties

Purple jalapeños, a captivating addition to your home garden, offer a vibrant burst of color throughout their growth stages. They introduce a touch of sweetness to their flavor profile, setting them apart from the standard jalapeños

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Pot-a-peno peppers

Cream Section Separator Pot-a-peno peppers are a specially bred jalapeño variety designed with a compact growth habit, making them an ideal choice for cultivation in hanging baskets or containers. See all varieties

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