How can you tell if a jalapeno is perfectly ripe?

Question

First year growing them.

Answer 1

If I want green jalapenos at their peak I start picking them when they start to "cork"(brown light surface cracks) otherwise I let jalapenos ripen red since I prefer the sweeter flavor of a red ripe jalapeno which also lacks the "green" flavor. The only down side to picking red jalapenos is that they take forever to ripen. Keep in mind while a fruit remains on the plant to ripen it saps all that energy otherwise used for new blooms and fruit production....so, if you have a ton of plants and can afford less production go ahead and allow them to ripen.

Answer 2

when it's rotten looking

Answer 3

Bite it.

Answer 4

The answers you are seeing to this question are a perfect example of taking what you learn here with a grain of salt.

Remember, your wording was "perfectly ripe", not "perfectly usable".

Here is the truth about Jalapeno Peppers, people:

Jalapeno Peppers are like other peppers and chiles: the green color is a stage of the fruit's maturity. It is green first. Most people eat them this way.

When a Jalapeno Pepper is fully "ripe", it will look like a red Christmas-tree light.

Does anyone actually speak from experience on this site? Why answer if you DON'T KNOW?????

Answer 5

You can tell when the texture is very tender!  

Answer 6

A jalapeno is "ripe" when it turns red. However, most people use them green. They can be picked and used once they are the same size as the ones you see at the store

Answer 7

Should be a nice green color and have a good smell.  You should be able to tell.

Answer 8

Lighten up and give these people a break Deplorab.  If everyone was as smart as you we wouldn't need YQA.  

Answer 9

The great thing about jalapenos is that you can pick them when they are about the size that you see in the grocery, or leave them and they'll turn red.  Look out - they get hotter!

You should join us on the Prevention Gardening discussion board.  It's a direct connection with experienced gardeners.  

http://forums.prevention.com/eve/forums/...

Good Luck!