Veracruz Jalapeno (Certified Organic)

Grown by Care of the Earth Community Farm – 74 days – Capsicum annuum

Lalo at Care of the Earth Community Farm received this unnamed variety from his mother Ofelia in 2016. It is originally from the southern Mexican state of Veracruz, where it is used for fresh green chiles and for chilpotles. It has medium-thick walls, a wonderful, fruity flavor, and is spicy (spicier than Early Jalapeno). It also ripens well and dries well. Most fruits are conical; however, some are more square (squarer fruits have some tendency to fungal growth in the seed cavity at full ripeness, and Lalo and Megan have been choosing away from that shape). Fruits are longer and less stocky than Early Jalapeno, at 3-4”. They exhibit checking as they mature, though green fruits can be picked without checking.

The 36″ tall plants have good architecture, and although not stocky, they do not have problems with lodging. Leaves are fuzzy. Good leaf cover prevents sunscald. Veracruz Jalapeno is more productive than Early Jalapeno, although 10 days later. It handles both wet and dry periods well and is particularly a standout during drought. It produces until first frost.

Lalo and Megan have been growing and adapting this variety to their farm since 2017. They will share profits of these seeds equally with a group of local farmers in El Sauzal, Veracruz, Mexico and a local food pantry in Juan Diaz Covarrubias, Veracruz, Mexico, as part of their cooperation with the last few local, sustainable vegetable farmers in Hueyapan and Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz (The Hueyapan Project). 125 seeds/gram.