Posh Bagel has a good jalapeno cream cheese spread. It has vibrant red and green chunks that are firm and fresh. I believe the jalapenos are of the young variety, since they offer significant heat, and have a strong pungency.
Try the jalapeno spread with an everything, egg, or plain bagel. Although the everything bagel offers the most complex flavor with its sesame and poppy seeds, and garlic chunks, it also leaves a trail of crumbs in its wake. Flavor purists will want to stick to plain bagels, to really get the jalapeno cream cheese notes.
Many bagel places use canned or jarred jalapenos in their spreads. This gives weak flavor and mushy texture. It also brings to mind a rice casserole that was popular in the eighties that was a creamy, (too) mild blob with grayish green peppers. Escabeche style jalapenos, when done right, have their place at home and in taqueria condiment bars. But I have yet to find a bagel spread with vinegary jalapenos that works.
Posh Bagels does fresh jalapenos with cream cheese right. As I worked my way through a recent bagel with black coffee, I felt a familiar warmth, and began to sweat a little. I became chatty as the heat and caffeine kicked in, and my lips were a little peppery. It's good when it's hot.
Posh Bagels has numerous Bay Area locations. Their website is under construction. Check local listings in SF, Menlo Park, Los Altos, and Mountain View.
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