Meet the passionate team behind Australia's most trusted jalapeño resource
Best Jalapeño Australia was born from a shared passion that started in a backyard garden in Melbourne. What began as a small experiment with a handful of Early Jalapeño seeds quickly transformed into an obsession with everything related to Capsicum annuum—the humble yet extraordinary jalapeño pepper.
Our founding team members met through local chilli-growing forums and farmers' markets, bonding over discussions about Scoville ratings, optimal soil pH levels, and the perfect brine-to-pepper ratio for pickling. We discovered that while there was plenty of information available for American and European growers, Australian jalapeño enthusiasts were often left searching for region-specific advice that accounted for our unique climate conditions and product availability.
Every product featured on our site has been personally tested by our team. We don't simply aggregate reviews from other sources—we purchase products with our own money, test them in real-world conditions, and provide honest assessments based on flavour profiles, heat consistency, value for money, and overall quality. Our hot sauce evaluations consider factors like capsaicin distribution, vinegar balance, and how well the natural jalapeño flavour comes through. For seeds, we actually grow them through multiple seasons, documenting germination rates, plant vigour, and fruit characteristics.
Beyond product testing, we're dedicated to education. Our growing guides are based on years of hands-on experience cultivating jalapeños in Australian conditions—from the humid subtropical climate of Queensland to the cooler temperate zones of Victoria and Tasmania. We understand the challenges of managing blossom end rot during heatwaves, protecting plants from fruit fly, and timing your planting to maximise the growing season.
We believe that great information should be accessible to everyone, whether you're a first-time grower wondering why your jalapeño leaves are yellowing, or an experienced chilli-head looking for that next premium hot sauce to add to your collection. Our mission is to be the definitive Australian resource for jalapeño knowledge—combining scientific accuracy with practical, real-world advice.
We're committed to maintaining editorial independence. While we do earn affiliate commissions when you purchase through our links (which helps us fund our testing and keep the site running), our recommendations are never influenced by these partnerships. A poor product will receive an honest review regardless of any potential affiliate relationship, and we frequently recommend products even when they're not available through affiliate programs.
Transparency is at the heart of everything we do. We clearly disclose our affiliate relationships, explain our testing methodology, and acknowledge when we don't have enough data to make a definitive recommendation. We believe that building trust with our readers is more important than any short-term gain, and we're committed to providing accurate, helpful information that genuinely serves the Australian jalapeño community.
Whether you're looking to spice up your nachos, grow a bumper crop of peppers in your backyard, or find the perfect jalapeño hot sauce for your morning eggs, we're here to help you on your spicy journey.
The passionate people behind Best Jalapeño Australia
Founder & Head Grower
Marcus has been growing chillies for over 8 years, starting with a single jalapeño plant on his Melbourne balcony. He now maintains a dedicated pepper garden with 15+ jalapeño varieties and has become a certified Master Gardener.
Culinary Editor
A trained chef with a specialty in Mexican cuisine, Sarah brings professional culinary expertise to our product testing. She evaluates hot sauces and pickled products for flavour balance, versatility, and authentic taste profiles.
Research & Testing Lead
With a background in food science, David leads our methodical approach to product evaluation. He developed our standardised testing protocols and ensures all our claims are backed by proper methodology.