We eat a lot of peppers in our house, particularly jalapenos. These small, spicy peppers add a distinctive heat and flavour to a variety of dishes, from salsas and guacamole to burgers and pizzas. But because we eat so many, we also occasionally purchase too many; and this leads us to wonder if our jalapenos are spoiling. So, how do you tell if a jalapeno is bad? Let’s find out! In this article, I’ll explore how to identify fresh, good-quality jalapenos, as well as the signs of a jalapeno that has gone bad.
How to Tell if Your Jalapeño is Bad
Fresh jalapenos are a staple ingredient in many cuisines due to their distinct flavour and heat. To ensure that your dishes have the best flavour, it’s important to know how to tell if jalapenos are good. Here are some characteristics of fresh, good-quality jalapenos and how to tell if your jalapeno is bad…
- Appearance: Fresh jalapenos should have a bright, glossy green colour and smooth, firm skin. They should feel heavy for their size and have a consistent shape. The stem should be green and firmly attached to the pepper, without any signs of wilting or browning.
- Texture: Good-quality jalapenos should be firm to the touch and not have any soft spots or bruises. Wrinkled or shrivelled skin is also a sign of a jalapeno that may be past its prime.
- Aroma: Fresh jalapenos should have a spicy, slightly sweet aroma. If a jalapeno has a musty or sour smell, it may be starting to spoil.
When selecting jalapenos at the grocery store, follow these tips to choose the freshest ones:
- Look for loose jalapenos rather than pre-packaged ones: This allows you to inspect each pepper individually and choose the freshest ones.
- Avoid jalapenos that have soft spots, bruises, or wrinkled skin: These are signs that they may be past their prime.
- Check the colour of the jalapenos: They should have a bright, glossy green colour without any yellowing.
- Smell the jalapenos: Fresh jalapenos should have a spicy, slightly sweet aroma, while older peppers may have a musty or sour smell.
- Choose jalapenos that are heavy for their size: This indicates that they are fresh and full of water.
By selecting fresh, high-quality jalapenos, you can ensure that your recipes will have the right flavour and heat level without any unpleasant surprises.
Do Jalapeños Go Bad?
Like all perishable produce, jalapeños can go bad over time. There are several reasons why your jalapeño is bad, and it’s important to understand the signs of a bad jalapeño to ensure that you are using fresh and safe ingredients in your cooking.
One of the most common causes of jalapeños going bad is improper storage. If jalapeños are stored in a warm, humid environment, they can quickly start to spoil. Exposure to moisture can also cause jalapeños to go bad more quickly. Proper storage of jalapeños is essential to extend their lifespan and maintain their quality.
Another reason why jalapeños can go bad is due to their natural lifespan. Over time, jalapeños will begin to break down and lose their freshness, just like any other produce. Therefore, it’s important to keep track of the purchase date and use the jalapeños before they go bad.
The signs of a bad jalapeño include discolouration, texture changes, and unpleasant odours. Here are some specific things to look for:
- Discolouration: Fresh jalapeños should be bright green and shiny. If jalapeños start to turn yellow, brown, or black, this is a sign that they are starting to go bad. In some cases, you may also notice white spots or mould growing on the jalapeños.
- Texture changes: Fresh jalapeños should be firm and have a consistent texture throughout. If the jalapeño feels soft or mushy in any areas, this is a sign that it may be spoiling.
- Unpleasant odours: Fresh jalapeños have a distinct and spicy smell. If a jalapeño has a musty, sour, or rancid smell, this is a clear sign that it is no longer fresh and should be discarded.
If you notice any of these signs when inspecting your jalapeños, it’s best to discard them. Using spoiled jalapeños in your cooking can lead to unpleasant flavours, and in some cases, may even cause food poisoning. To prolong the lifespan of your jalapeños, store them in a cool, dry place, and use them within a week or two of purchase. Additionally, properly washing jalapeños before use can help remove any bacteria or dirt that may cause spoilage.
How Long Do Jalapeños Last?
In general, jalapeños can be stored for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. However, the actual shelf life of jalapeños can vary depending on several factors, such as the storage conditions and whether they are whole or sliced.
Storage conditions play a significant role in how long jalapeños last. If jalapeños are stored in a cool, dry place, they will last longer than if they are stored in a warm, humid environment. For this reason, it’s important to store jalapeños in the refrigerator, ideally in a plastic bag or airtight container. Storing jalapeños in the crisper drawer can also help extend their lifespan.
The way jalapeños are prepared can also affect their shelf life. Whole jalapeños will last longer than sliced jalapeños because slicing exposes the flesh to more air, which can cause them to spoil more quickly. If you do need to slice jalapeños, it’s best to do so right before using them to minimise their exposure to air.
It’s important to note that while jalapeños can be stored for up to two weeks, their quality will start to degrade after about a week. The peppers may start to lose their firmness and become wrinkled or soft. They may also develop a slightly different flavour as they age.
To determine if jalapeños are still fresh, look for the signs of spoilage discussed in the previous section. If the jalapeños have started to discolour, develop a mushy texture, or have an unpleasant odour, it’s best to discard them.
Signs of a Bad Jalapeño
Can I still eat a wrinkled jalapeno?
Wrinkling is a natural part of the ageing process for jalapenos and other peppers, but it can also be a sign that the pepper is starting to go bad. If the pepper is only slightly wrinkled and still firm to the touch, it is still safe to eat. However, if the pepper is extremely wrinkled or has soft spots, it should be discarded.
What do old jalapenos look like?
Old jalapenos can start to look wrinkled or shrivelled, and their skin may start to develop brown or black spots. They may also feel softer or more mushy than a fresh jalapeno.
Are jalapenos with lines still good?
Lines on a jalapeno pepper are typically just a natural part of the pepper’s skin and do not indicate that the pepper has gone bad. As long as the pepper is firm and does not have any soft spots or mould, it should still be safe to eat.
Is it okay to eat jalapenos when they turn black?
If a jalapeno pepper turns completely black, it is no longer safe to eat and should be discarded. Black spots can also develop on jalapenos as they age, but as long as the spots are small and do not cover a significant portion of the pepper, the jalapeno is still safe to eat.
Is a jalapeno bad if the seeds are brown?
Brown seeds on a jalapeno pepper are typically just a sign of ageing and do not necessarily indicate that the pepper is bad. However, if the pepper is also wrinkled, soft, or has mould, it should be discarded.
Why do my jalapenos have brown streaks?
Brown streaks on a jalapeno pepper are usually a sign that the pepper is starting to go bad. The streaks can be caused by mould or bacteria growing on the pepper’s skin. If a jalapeno has brown streaks, it should be discarded.
What is the white fuzz on my jalapenos?
White fuzz on a jalapeno pepper is a sign of mould growth and indicates that the pepper is no longer safe to eat. The pepper should be discarded.
What to do with wrinkled jalapenos?
Wrinkled jalapenos can still be used in cooking as long as they are not mushy or have any soft spots. Wrinkled jalapenos can also be dried to make chilli flakes or ground into a powder to use as a seasoning.
