In the late 19th century a horticulturist set about standardising a New Mexican chile variety. The chile adapted well to the local growing conditions and became the catalist for a breeding programme run by the New Mexico State University (NMSU) that spawned many new standardised varieties of pepper. From the Numex Twilight to the less well known Pinta. The huge Big Jim to the tiny Bailey Piquin. Below are some of our favourite New Mexican (also called Numex) species.
Numex Mirasol
Species: Annuum
Origin: New Mexico
Heat: Medium
The word mirasol in Spanish means looking at the sun. The chile type is called mirasol because the 3-4in long clusters of erect fruit point to the sun. 'NuMex Mirasol' was developed over six years by Drs. Bosland and Gonzalez using a pedigree breeding method that included hybridization and repeated single plant selections and was finally released in 1993. It is used both as an ornamental on wreaths and a ground powder in cooking.
Image © Marco Budinis [view more numex varieties]
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Numex Suave Yellow
Species: Chinense
Origin: New Mexico
Heat: Mild
This variety is from the same family as the Habanero and was developed by the Chile Pepper Institute to have all the flavours of a Habanero but less heat. The word 'suave' is Spanish for mellow, smooth or mild. The pods have a citrus like flavour with an orange lemony overtone and an apricot aroma. The heat is in the back of the mouth and throat and not on the lips and tongue. Each plant can yield upto 100 mildly pungent fruits which rate at around 850 units on the scoville scale.
Image © Mats & Patricia Pettersson [view more numex varieties]
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Numex Centennial
Species: Annuum
Origin: New Mexico
Heat: Unknown
This was the first ornamental variety released from NMSU intended for growing in small containers. It was released in 1988 to celebrate NMSU's Centennial celebrations. Many seed companies offer seed of this cultivar, unfortunately, under different names. 'NuMex Centennial' has purple flowers and purple foliage. The upright fruits are purple, then ripen to yellow, orange, and finally red. Very similar in appearence to the Bolivian Rainbow.
Image © Jukka Kilpinen [view more numex varieties]
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Anaheim
Species: Annuum
Origin: New Mexico
Heat: Mild
Also known as California Chile or Chile Verde, this bushy upright plant can grow upto 2ft and is a prolific bearer of long tapered 2 celled green which mature from green to red in aproximately 77 days. The pods have a mildly pungency (250 scoville units) and a slightly sweet flavour. The pods can be used green or red - hotter when red. Red chiles are sometimes left on the bush until they turning leathery, then dried in the sun to later be ground into powder and sold as Chile Colorado.
Image © Mark McMullan [view more numex varieties]
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