Have you noticed that jalapeño peppers don’t seem as hot as they used to? Many people have noticed the same thing. The reason behind jalapeños losing their spice has become quite a hot topic.
Some say agriculture companies are making jalapeños milder on purpose to sell more of them. A healthcare writer, Timothy Faust, shared this thought online with a reference to a D Magazine story, which explained why jalapeños are cooler now.
Why Are Jalapeños Less Spicy?
A trend is growing for producing jalapeños that aren’t very spicy. This makes them easier to sell, especially for making canned foods and salsas. There’s a type of jalapeño called TAM II, made to be less spicy but bigger, that can grow quickly. This pepper is created with special farming ways that make sure all jalapeños taste the same. This helps companies sell their products in stores where they label them as “mild,” “medium,” or “hot.”
Looking for That Jalapeño Heat?
For those who really like their food spicy, TAM II isn’t cutting it. As a result, hotter peppers like serrano—which are three times as spicy as jalapeños—have become more popular for their strong punch.