How To Know When Your Jalapeno Peppers Are Ready To Be Picked

When it comes to knowing when to pick jalapeno peppers, you'll want to take into consideration the size and color of the fruit, which will determine its maturity. A fully-grown jalapeno pepper reaches a length of three to five inches, and usually takes around four to six months to reach this stage. The transition of the pepper's color is another crucial indicator of ripeness. It will start from a light green and progress to a dark green as it ages. This color transformation typically occurs within five to six months after planting. While jalapenos are commonly harvested before they turn black or red, their sweet flavor and spice level will be much more prominent if you allow them to fully ripen. Additionally, the presence of corking, which appears as small white lines on the pepper's skin, is another sign of maturity. While it might look questionable, it's completely safe to eat.

Some gardeners prefer to pick jalapenos when they're green, since they're crunchier and hold up well for pickling. Harvesting jalapenos before they fully mature can give them a nice crispness and satisfying crunch, but they probably won't have their usual spiciness level.

Harvesting jalapeno peppers requires careful handling to avoid damaging the plant. First, you're going to want to look for mature peppers. This means red or black, depending on the spice level you're looking for. While you might be tempted to harvest an unripe pepper, it's best to just leave it on the plant. To properly pick a pepper, with one hand, gently hold the plant's branch below the fruit to minimize disruption to the rest of the plant. Jalapeno peppers typically hang downwards, so be sure to gently hold the branch beneath the pepper and pull the pepper upwards. Without tearing or twisting the stem, aim for a clean break at the end of the stem. This method ensures stability and prevents unnecessary stress to the plant. Ripe jalapenos should detach easily with a satisfying snap, so it's important to avoid twisting or tearing the stem if you want the plant to continue bearing fruit.

If you're a little wary of the snap method, you can always use sharp scissors or pruning shears for a precise cut. Always clean your shears after use to prevent cross contamination and rust.

If you've harvested green jalapenos and want to ripen them, there are various methods you can use. The time required for off-vine ripening varies, typically ranging from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on factors like temperature and the initial color change of the peppers. It's important to note that ripened jalapenos, whether picked or still attached to the plant, do not continue to grow in size.

One option for speedy ripening is the paper bag method. Place the green jalapenos in a paper bag and loosely fold over the top to allow air circulation. The trapped ethylene gas emitted by the peppers is said to help speed up the ripening process. Another approach is to use ethylene-producing fruits, like a ripe apple, banana, or tomato alongside the green jalapenos in the paper bag. These fruits naturally give off ethylene gas, promoting ripening. Regularly check the jalapenos, since ripening times can vary.

Placing the unripened jalapenos near a warm and sunny location, like a windowsill or well-lit countertop, can facilitate the ripening process. If it's nearing the end of the season, you can accelerate ripening by cutting off a branch containing green peppers and hanging it indoors upside down.