Popular hot chili pepper, cultivar of Capsicum annuum.

Jalapenos are the most popular hot chili pepper, both for horticulture and cooking. Although restaurants treat them as "hot peppers", in reality they are more moderate - hotter than an Anaheim/Hatch type, but sweeter than serrano, tabasco, habanero, naga, etc.

As a popular type of chili pepper, there are many varieties catering for different growing conditions, capsaicin content (heat), colour, and shape. For example, the 'Fresno' variety is at the hotter end of the scale, and is a large triangular red shape when ripe. This contrasts with the classic smaller, green pepper found on pizzas and in pickles.

Jalapenos typically have a fruity flavour underneath the capsaicin heat - this becomes apparent when they are dried or roasted.