How can I tell if my jalapeno peppers are ripe?

I have five jalapeno plants containing approximately 40 jalapeno. One is red (this is a very young fruit) all others are dark green and approx 3 inches long how will I know when they are ripe?

How can I tell if my jalapeno peppers are ripe?
You can pick them now or wait for a few more to trun colour, often they will finish ripening off the plant but if you want the hottest resulst let them change colour first
Reply:Once they turn red they are ready. If you wait for them to fall off, all you will have is rotten peppers!
Reply:try one randomly
Reply:I've the same problem. Mine have been red for 2 months now. I was going to leave them till they fall off like apples when they're ripe.



I doubt yours will be yet if they havent been red long.....



I just picked one that has been red for over a month and its bloody hot!
Reply:They are ripe now.. the colors change with the degree of heat.. I think that the red are the hottest. Mine have turned from the bright green to black so pick them when ever you want to.. as soon as they are big enough ..

I am drying mine in a dehydrator to keep them for cooking later on don't have the room to do much else with them you can also freeze them.. If you need more info on storing them you can reach me at freemansfreeman@yahoo.com i will check my canning book and give you the recipe for it.. I have some also canned from last year.. use them to make salsa with.

have a good day Oh the more you pick them the more you will get...
Reply:Peppers are ripe when they turn red, including bell peppers. They taste best red as well. You can use them green like you buy in the store, but the flavor difference when they are red should change your mind!
Reply:Taste them! Where do you get them?
Reply:When they are from 1 to 3 1/2" long and dark green or bright red and brittle. The bright red are ripe, they are just different. The red ones can be smoked into chipotles.
Reply:The only way is try one!
Reply:this site shows these peppers



I would start to pick the green ones now and wait for the others to turn you might get more flowers but it's to late in the season now for them to ripen