Jalapeno El Jefe – the reliable boss of the chilli garden
What makes Jalapeno El Jefe special
Jalapeno El Jefe is a high-yielding, hardy and reliable jalapeño variety with good disease resistance. A favourite with both professional and hobby growers who want a large harvest of consistent quality.
Background and name
‘El Jefe’ means ‘the boss’ in Spanish, and the name is well deserved. This jalapeño was developed in the USA for commercial growing and combines quick development with good fruit set and an even pod size.
Appearance and growth habit
The plant grows compact but sturdy, reaches about 70–80 cm tall and produces masses of thick-walled pods 7–9 cm long. The pods are dark green, ripening to red, with some tendency to natural corking.
Estimated Scoville heat
Approx. 4,000 – 8,000 SHU
Flavour and uses
The flavour is classic jalapeño: fruity, crisp and with a moderate sting. Green, it is perfect for pickling and jalapeño poppers, and red it suits salsa and sauce.
Ways to use Jalapeno El Jefe
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Try stuffing and grilling them – perfect for the barbecue
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Slice thinly and pickle as a side
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Perfect as a topping on tacos, burgers or nachos
How to grow Jalapeno El Jefe
Jalapeno El Jefe belongs to Capsicum annuum. Sow your chilli seeds between February and April. The variety is easy to grow, fast-growing and suits both a greenhouse and a pot.
The price is for 6 chilli seeds
Sow in moist seed compost and keep warm, at about 25–30°C for best germination The compost should be moist but not wet. A propagator helps to keep the air humid. Once the seedlings have grown a little and developed their second pair of leaves, you can lower the temperature to about 20°C and take them out of the propagator. They do well on a sunny windowsill, in a greenhouse and outdoors in summer. For best results, soak the seeds in Growhelper for 12–24 hours before sowing.
