Craig’s Grande Jalapeño

Craig’s Grande Jalapeño is a large-fruited jalapeño cultivar within the species Capsicum annuum, known for producing substantial, thick-walled pods larger than typical jalapeños.

Pods commonly reach approximately 10–12 cm in length and are notably meaty with thick walls, making them suitable for stuffing, grilling, roasting, pickling, salsas, and sauces. The size and structure make the variety particularly popular for jalapeño poppers and other culinary uses requiring larger fruit.

Heat is generally described in the range of approximately 5 000–8 000 Scoville Heat Units, placing it toward the hotter end of the typical jalapeño scale. Some listings cite slightly broader ranges beginning around 3 500 SHU, but consensus places it firmly within the medium-heat jalapeño category. Heat may vary depending on growing conditions.

Flavour descriptions consistently emphasise a crisp texture with a slightly sweet, fruity jalapeño profile and noticeable but balanced heat. Fully ripened red pods are sometimes described as exhibiting slightly more pronounced heat compared with green-harvested fruit.

Plants are described as stocky and productive, yielding abundant pods on relatively compact growth, making them suitable for both garden beds and container cultivation.

The variety is associated with Redwood City Seeds in the United States and is marketed as a named garden selection or heirloom-type jalapeño. Despite commercial popularity, no formal historical publication or documented first introduction year is widely available.

Available information derives primarily from seed supplier listings and grower descriptions rather than peer-reviewed horticultural documentation.