Jacob Fox
If you've found the jalapeño peppers you're buying at the grocery store aren't really spicing up your meals these days, you’re not alone. Home cooks and professional chefs alike have noticed jalapeños lack the flavor they used to bring to the table—and the explanation has to do with prioritizing aesthetics over taste.
According to an article from D Magazine, It turns out that the culprit behind the more mild jalapeños is none other than a variety called TAM II. TAM II exchanges the peppers’ typical spiciness for a larger, faster-growing fruit.
For large producers already used to adjusting their jalapeño products with pepper extract (to provide a more exact way of adding heat), this adjustment in spiciness level doesn't matter much. But for those who enjoy the jalapeño’s natural flavor, well, TAM II isn’t exactly a favorite. But its popularity is slowly taking over other varieties’ natural spice levels.
So, what are the options for spice lovers who want the original flavor of a jalapeño? There are a few different routes you can take.
First and foremost, buying from local farmers' markets will always produce a better result than grocery store jalapeños. Independent farmers have control over the variety of jalapeños they grow—and since farmers' markets sell directly to the consumer, there’s no need to sell jalapeños designed for mass-market producers who want a milder product. Fortunately, with spring already on its way, farmers' market season is fast approaching with plenty of opportunities for purchasing fresh peppers.
And if you're looking to spice up your garden, you can always grow your own. This obviously gives you the most control over the growing process and allows you to decide when to pick your jalapeños
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