Los Angeles, Ca
Jalapenos are less spicy now than in the past: report
If you’ve felt that some hot peppers have lost their spice in recent years, you may be onto something.
According to a report in D Magazine, a publication focused on Dallas, “a vast industrial scheme” has led to milder jalapeños.
The culprit is a variety of pepper called TAM II, which has in its two decades of existence “become some of the most popular in the processing business,” Brian Reinhart noted in his report.
In exchange for reduced spice levels, TAM II peppers boast properties that many growers and manufacturers find attractive, including larger fruit with more flesh, a faster maturation time, virus resistance and a better appearance.
For many producers, such as those making salsa, having more product with less spice is a double win, as they’d prefer to add their own spice, oleoresin capsicum, a pepper extract that’s “pure heat,” so they can better control spice levels in products like salsa.
“When you’re doing a huge run of salsa for shipment, and you want a hot label, medium label, mild label, it’s really important to predict what kind of heat you’ll get,” Stephanie Walker, a pepper expert at New Mexico State University, told D Magazine.
If you’re missing the kick of yesteryear in your jalapeños, D Magazine suggests asking local growers what varieties they produce and finding an alternative to TAM II, such as Mitla or Early peppers.
And if you just want someone to blame, the clue is in the name. TAM II is a reference to Texas A&M University, which pioneered the peppers, D Magazine noted.
“Yes, Aggies took the spice out of life.”
While Reinhart’s report came out last year, it gained prominence on social media on Tuesday, especially from A&M’s rivals.
“some a— texas a&m students made a more profitable but less hot jalapeño pepper and that’s why they suck now,” one viral tweet commented. “unbelievable.”
Los Angeles, Ca
Boyle Heights warehouse cleanup begins as crews face 85 million pounds of spoiled food
Cleanup efforts are underway Thursday at the Boyle Heights cold-storage warehouse that burned for eight days after firefighters officially declared the massive blaze knocked down Wednesday evening. Los Angeles Fire Department crews remain at the Lineage warehouse near Union Pacific Avenue and South La Puente Street as they transition into the overhaul phase, searching for […]
Los Angeles, Ca
Hospital needs help identifying man found unconscious in downtown Los Angeles
A hospital needs help identifying a male patient who was found injured and unconscious in downtown Los Angeles.
The man is believed to be in his 30s, according to the Los Angeles General Medical Center.
He was found injured on the ground on Omar Street and has been hospitalized since June 22.
He stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 176 pounds. He has brown eyes, dark brown hair and tattoos across his upper body.
He did not have any personal belongings to help staff identify him or contact loved ones. Workers did not disclose the nature of his injuries.
Anyone who recognizes the man is asked to call clinical social worker Cesar Robles at 323-409-6885.
The public can also call the L.A. General Medical Center’s Department of Social Work at 323-409-5253 or, after hours from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., call 323-409-6883. On weekends, call 323-409-5254.
Los Angeles, Ca
Clue may identify SUV in Long Beach hit-and-run that left woman injured
Police are asking the public for help Wednesday in identifying a hit-and-run driver who left a woman badly injured in Long Beach late last month. The May 24 crash occurred around 11 p.m. as the victim was crossing East 2nd Street, according to the Long Beach Police Department. Video provided by police showed a dark-colored […]
-
New Mexico4 minutes agoFormer NM GOP treasurer arrested after deadly Las Cruces hit-and-run
-
North Carolina7 minutes ago
NC State, UNC planning nonconference men’s basketball game this season
-
North Dakota12 minutes agoChallengers declare victory after ND Supreme Court rules against Legislature’s attempt to alter term limits
-
Ohio19 minutes ago
Prevent Blindness Ohio warns of firework dangers ahead of July 4 celebrations
-
Oklahoma22 minutes agoWhat Houston Does Better Than Oklahoma State and Why It Matters
-
Oregon27 minutes agoMarion County may join 6 other counties to control garbage, recycling
-
Pennsylvania34 minutes agoThe Dish: Caesar salad with a twist from Rivertown Taps in Phoenixville, Pa.
-
Rhode Island37 minutes agoRI becomes first state to establish grocery self-checkout limits