VarietiesC. annuumMediumNew Mexico chile
MediumC. annuumUnited States

New Mexico chile

Hatch chile · green chile · red chile · New Mexican chile · Chile de Ristra

5,000Scoville Heat Units

Heat context

Carolina Reaper
Ghost Pepper
Habanero
New Mexico c…
Botanical data
Heat (SHU)5,000
SpeciesC. annuum
OriginUnited States
Days to mature70
Plant height45–75 cm
Wall thicknessMedium
Ripe colourred
YieldHeavy
Growth habitBush
Germination7-14
FoliageGreen
Unripe colourgreen

About this variety

New Mexico chile is a cultivar group developed at New Mexico State University, representing the official state vegetable of New Mexico. These mild to medium-heat peppers are harvested green or allowed to ripen red, forming the backbone of Southwestern cuisine with their earthy, sweet flavor that intensifies when roasted. Hatch refers specifically to those grown in the Hatch Valley region, prized for their terroir-driven characteristics.

Flavour profile

earthysweetmild heatsmoky when roastedgrassy when green
Culinary scores
Sauce
10/10
Drying
9/10
Pickling
6/10

Culinary uses

Essential for green and red chile sauces, roasted and peeled for chile rellenos, dried and ground into powder, used fresh in salsas, stews, enchiladas, and as a topping for burgers and eggs. Often roasted in large batches and frozen for year-round use.

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Quick reference

Heat5,000 SHU
SpeciesC. annuum
OriginUnited States
Days to ripe70
Ripe colourred
Best forSauce, Drying
Data confidence: 5/5. Sourced from community submissions and verified references. Suggest a correction