Jalapeño is a pepper with Mexican origins, but nowadays it's grown throughout the world due to its unique flavor and a mild level of heat, from 2,500 to 8,000 Scovilles. The name is Spanish for Jalapa or Xalapa, the capital of Veracruz, where these peppers were originally grown.
The peppers are thick-fleshed, and the color can be green or red, with the red variety being slightly milder and sweeter than the green one. The flavors are moderately hot, bright, and grassy. When roasted, the jalapeños become richer, earthy, and slightly smoky.