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History of New Mexico Chile

The Spanish Arrive Spanish records dating back to 1582 show chile cultivation in the New World. During the Antonio de Espejo Expedition into what is now known as New Mexico, Obregon noted, “They have no chile, but the natives were…

The International Pepper Conference

I spent the last week in Bangkok, attending the 27th International Pepper Conference, or IPC for short. This conference is the biggest international event for scientists like geneticists and pepper breeders to come together and discuss new techniques in producing…

Merry Christmas 2025, and a Dish I cooked for it

Merry Christmas to everyone at the end of this 2025 year! This has been an eventful year for the world, and for us at Farmers Chile Market too. Although the world continues to get more complicated, it’s important to get…

My Way of Making Popcorn

(Hint: It Involves Chile) I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about flavor. Whether it’s fermenting green chile or finding the perfect red chile for a chile ristra, I’ve learned that good ingredients make good food. Rigid recipes, in my…

Hatch Chile Roasting Near you in 2025

lots of fresh Hatch green chile waiting to be roasted!

Roast your Own Hatch Chile! We have flavors from mild to XXX-hot available, and the closest place to roast is right at home! Order some today to roast up some delicious New Mexican flavor! If you are looking for roasted…

The road to the Market

A trailer full of Hatch chile sacks pulling off of I-25 onto the offramp to Cerillos road in Santa Fe

Before, during, and after the Hatch chile season, I’m on the road quite a bit. There are several reasons for this, but perhaps the most important one is that I care a lot about maintaining high quality of products in…

Old Vs New Mexico chiles

lots of fresh Hatch green chile waiting to be roasted!

The chili plant is one of the most diverse fruit plants in the world, with varieties of chile coming in all shapes and sizes! Because of the vast diversity, in this post I will be talking only about varieties of…

Hatch Red Chile

Multiple large sacks of dried Hatch, New Mexico red chile pods hanging up in Albuquerque

The other side of the Red or Green question, Hatch red chile is a huge part of New Mexican cuisine! Although most people think of Hatch red chile as only dried red chile pods, it also encompasses fresh red chile…

Hatch Green Chile

lots of fresh Hatch green chile waiting to be roasted!

Hatch green chile is by far and away the most popular aspect of New Mexican cuisine. Although we have many local delicacies like pinon nuts, sopaipillas, posole, tamales, red chile, and much more, the fundamental aspect of our food is…

Best Chili Powder for Tacos

a chicken taco on a corn tortilla with salsa made with Hatch red chile powder

In case you’ve landed on this page, odds are that you love some tacos! Well, in New Mexico, we love tacos too! If you can get a type of taco in Los Angeles or Mexico City, odds are you can…

Mexican Chile at Farmers Chile Market

different chile and spices ready to make a great mole salsa

In New Mexico, although there is a prevalence of chile available from Mexico, the vast majority of people primarily eat local chile, whether it is Hatch chile, Socorro Valley chile, or northern New Mexico chile like Espanola Improved or Chimayo…

Come for the balloon fiesta – Stay for the Chile!

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is here, and with it the population of Albuquerque almost doubles! That’s not the only great thing going on in Albuquerque during this time though. The Balloon Fiesta also coincides with the chile season! This…

New Mexico Piñon Nuts

New Mexico pinon nuts in a large 8 oz bag on a countertop in Albuquerque

Few things are as special in the cold New Mexican months as local Piñon Nuts. They rank among red chile and pork tamales and posole as some of the things that New Mexicans yearn for when the weather get colder.…

Starting the 2024 Hatch Chile Season

Hatch chile roasting in a chile roaster

It’s late July! What that means is that the Hatch chile season is just getting started. Although some places have already started roasting chile for a few weeks, we don’t handle early chile as it almost never meets our standards.…

What we Sell at Farmers Chile Market

super long red chile ristras from Hatch, New Mexico hanging in front of Farmers Chile Market in Albuquerque

At Farmers Chile Market, we have a wide variety of different New Mexican products, but much of it is different at different times. There are deeper explanations of this in our post about the chile season. We are open from…

The Village of Hatch, NM

A welcome to Hatch sign at the Hatch Chile Festival

Hatch is a village in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, with a population usually hovering around 1,500 people, but that number fluctuates greatly as many migrant workers arrive in town for the chile season! Picking chile is incredibly hard work…

The 2025 Hatch Chile Festival

Hatch chile festival sign

People around the world love New Mexico chile, because it has a good manageable amount of heat and a lot of meatiness that can be used to pack a lot of chile flavor into any food you can imagine. Of…

A Culinary Odyssey through New Mexico

A trailer full of Hatch chile sacks pulling off of I-25 onto the offramp to Cerillos road in Santa Fe

Where Trails Converge and Chile Reigns Supreme New Mexico, a land steeped in history and flavor, bears witness to centuries of cultural exchange and culinary evolution. From the ancient Pueblo people to Spanish conquistadors, Mexican settlers, and American pioneers, each…

Hatch Chile

A chile roasted filled with Hatch chile pintado, or red and green chile roasting in Albuquerque, New Mexico

A New Mexican Treasure Infused with Flavor, Culture, and Geography Red and green chile peppers are not just ingredients in New Mexican cuisine; they’re threads woven into the very fabric of the state’s culture. Their vibrant colors adorn everything from…

Lifting Spirits: The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

the first balloons of the morning going up at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Every year, as the first blush of autumn paints the New Mexico sky, Albuquerque comes alive with a spectacle unlike any other: the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. This awe-inspiring event, the largest balloon festival in the world, has captivated audiences…

The Hatch Chile Season

a sack of chile pintado, mixed red and green chile roasting during peak Hatch chile season

A New Mexico Tradition Every year, as summer wanes and the days begin to shorten, a vibrant energy pulses through New Mexico. The culprit? The Hatch chile season, a cherished time when the state comes alive with the smoky aroma…

Hatch Red Chile Powder

close up shot of chili powder on spoons

Hatch red chile powder, a vibrant and flavorful product hailing from Hatch, New Mexico, has become a beloved ingredient in kitchens across the country. One of its most significant advantages lies in its sheer practicality. Unlike fresh roasted chile, which…

The Gentle Giant: All About the Big Jim Chile Pepper

Many different varieties of New Mexico chile, including Big Jim, Miss Junie, and Lumbre

Among the fiery pantheon of New Mexico chile, the Big Jim stands out as a gentle giant. While Hatch chiles are synonymous with the region, it’s the Big Jim that offers versatility and a milder heat profile, making it a…

Blue Corn

three green corns

Nestled amidst the sun-dusted mesas and vibrant landscapes of New Mexico lies a culinary treasure trove unlike any other. Here, chile reigns supreme, their fiery personalities defining a cuisine renowned for its bold flavors and rich cultural heritage. Yet, New…

A Comprehensive Guide to Growing New Mexico Chile

A New Mexico green chile plant with lots of flowers

Growing New Mexico or “Hatch” chile peppers can be a rewarding experience for both home gardeners and farmers. Known for their unique flavor and versatility in various culinary dishes, these peppers require specific conditions and care to thrive. In this…

New Mexican Food

Many different foods at a thanksgiving dinner in New Mexico, including red and green chile sauces

A Culinary Adventure in New Mexico: A Celebration of Chile, Posole, Pinto Beans, and Tradition New Mexico’s vibrant culinary scene presents a symphony of flavors, deeply rooted in Native American, Spanish, and Mexican influences. Our state’s unique cuisine is a…

Red Chile Sauce: A Study in Pure Flavor

Many different foods at a thanksgiving dinner in New Mexico, including red and green chile sauces

The Heart of New Mexican Cuisine In the Land of Enchantment, red chile sauce reigns supreme. It’s more than just a condiment; it’s a cultural touchstone, a fiery symbol of our state pride. The question “Red or Green?” echoes through…

Your New Mexico Chile Shop

Super spicy New Mexican Lumbre chiles

We are glad to be your favorite shop for Hatch, New Mexico chile this 2024 chile season, as well as every chile season since 1962! We are Albuquerque’s Original Chile Roaster, and have been roasting chile since 1977. As the…

The Magic of New Mexico Red Chile Pods

Multiple large sacks of dried Hatch, New Mexico red chile pods hanging up in Albuquerque

Red chile pods are the fundamental part of the red part of our New Mexico state question, “Red or Green?” Sundried Hatch red chile pods are an amazingly flavorful addition to New Mexico cuisine. At Farmers Chile Market, located at…

Hatch Chile Roasting Near you in 2024

Hatch chile roasting in a chile roaster

If you are looking for roasted Hatch chile near you this year, you’ve come to the right place! Hatch chile roasting is an incredibly important part of New Mexican culture. This delicacy has spread to surrounding states and even further…

Travel Ideas in Las Cruces: Exploring the Spice of Life

roadway sign in desert land

Las Cruces, a vibrant city in southern New Mexico, offers a plethora of exciting travel ideas for both locals and tourists alike. From cultural landmarks to culinary delights, this charming city has something for everyone. So, pack your bags and…

How to Peel Roasted Hatch Green Chile: A Handy Guide

a bunch of delicious roasted Hatch chiles

Are you ready to embark on a flavorful journey with the delicious roasted Hatch green chile in 2024? These fiery peppers are a staple in Southwestern cuisine, adding a burst of smoky heat to any dish. But before you can…

Travel Ideas in Santa Fe: Exploring the Best of the City

text signage on the wall

Introduction Are you planning a trip to Santa Fe? This vibrant city in New Mexico has a rich cultural heritage and offers a wide range of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages. From exploring the historic Santa Fe…

Spicy Gift Ideas: Why Sending Hatch Chile is the Perfect Gift

red chili pepper on white background

Looking for the perfect gift for someone who loves spicy food? Whether it’s a birthday, graduation, anniversary, or Christmas gift, there’s one thing that spice lovers always appreciate – a kick of flavor. And when it comes to spice, there’s…

Hatch Chile on a Pizza: New Mexican’s Favorite Pizza Topping

close up photo of person holding pizza

When it comes to pizza, everyone has their own preferences for toppings. Some people love the classic combination of pepperoni and cheese, while others enjoy experimenting with unique flavors and ingredients. But if you find yourself in New Mexico, there’s…

A Classic Red Chile Pork Posole Recipe to Warm Your Soul

a-red-and-green-pork-posole-in-Santa-Fe-New-Mexico

Introduction Red chile pork posole is a beloved dish in New Mexico, especially during the holiday season. This hearty and flavorful soup is perfect for warming up on a chilly winter day. Made with tender pork, rich red chile sauce,…

An Exciting I-25 Road Trip in New Mexico

A field full of chile plants in the Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico

Embarking on an I-25 road trip in New Mexico is a fantastic way to explore the Land of Enchantment. While it may not have the same level of fame as Route 66, I-25 is a crucial artery that connects the…

Posole – New Mexico’s Favorite Corn

a bag of multicolor dry New Mexico hominy

Posole is a very popular soup in both old Mexico and New Mexico. It is also the name of a common ingredient in New Mexican food. Posole is another name for hominy, a nixtamalized corn. Few things make New Mexicans…

Chile Pasado

some dried roasted Hatch chile in a bag

Roasted, Peeled, and dried Hatch Green Chile Chile Pasado is essentially dried roasted Hatch green chile. Although most people In New Mexico freeze their fresh roasted green chile to preserve it, dried chile is a fantastic method if you have…

Premium Chile Powders Are a Kitchen Essential

At Farmers Chile Market, we live for that distinctive aroma of roasting peppers in the autumn air. But we also know that for the rest of the year, home cooks need a reliable, flavorful way to bring the heat. While…

About New Mexico Chile

Red and green New Mexico chile roasting in Albuquerque

What is New Mexico Chile? New Mexico chile refers to the various types of chile peppers grown in New Mexico, primarily around the Rio Grande valley, with the Hatch Valley being the largest individual growing region. Although many farmers also…

The World of Beans

In almost everywhere in the world, beans will be consumed in some fashion very regularly. Around East Asia, you often see sweet bean jams, and tofu is essentially soymilk, coagulated like milk is into cheese. In Italy, minestrone soup is…

Hatch Green Chile Roasting Near you in 2023

Green chile roaster roasting Hatch chile in Albuquerque

If you are looking for roasted chile this year, you’ve come to the right place! Hatch chile roasting is an incredibly important part of New Mexican culture. This delicacy has spread to surrounding states and even further as New Mexico’s…

Different Types of Mexican Chile

different chile and spices ready to make a great mole salsa

Although our primary focus at Farmers Chile Market is New Mexican chile during the chile season, we also carry a lot of other varieties like superhot chili and various types of Mexican chile too. More than just that though, we…

Red Chile Stacked Enchiladas

A red chile stacked enchilada in Albuquerque, New Mexico

If you have ever been through New Mexico, or at least been to a New Mexican restaurant, odds are you have had enchiladas. Red chile, green chile, chicken, cheese, beans, mushrooms, vegetarian or vegan, they are delicious any way they…

About Superhot Chile Peppers

various super hot chile peppers including carolina reapers and 7 pot

Carolina Reapers, 7 Pots, Ghost Peppers and more If you check on Guinness Book of World Records, Pepper X is currently listed as the hottest pepper in the world. This was certified according to tests performed at Winthrop University in…

The Future of Hatch, NM Chile

Red and green New Mexico chile roasting in Albuquerque

Every year, it seems that media organizations love to talk about how there is a shortage of green chile. I doubt that we will run out of delicious roasted chile any time soon. That being said, there are some problems…

Hatch Chile in Pueblo Territory

Green chile roaster roasting Hatch chile in Albuquerque

In case you are in Colorado and looking for some great roasted Hatch green chile this Labor Day weekend, Summerland Gardens will be roasting up a storm. They have mild, medium, hot, and extra hot available, as well as their…

Local New Mexico melons have arrived

Watermelons from Hatch, New Mexico

We try to carry as much local produce as we can. We sell a lot more than just green and red chile products. In terms of local food, we have beans from Estancia, chicos from Espanola, watermelons from Hatch, and…

Early thoughts on the 2022 chile season

For those of you who are looking for more information about the timeline of the Hatch chile season, be sure to read out post on that! In 2024, we will begin roasting chile on Friday, August 2nd. We started roasted…

How to get to Farmers Chile Market

Your source for New Mexico chile products Whether you want fresh roasted green chile, Hatch red chile ristras, local fruits, chicos, beans, or some other New Mexican specialty, we can be your connection to that at 2010 Eubank Blvd NE.…

2022 Hatch chile season

Green chile roaster roasting Hatch chile in Albuquerque

It’s July now, and that means green chile is almost ready! Although some farmers have already started harvesting chile, we believe it isn’t up to our standards yet. We will start roasting on August 4th, 2022 starting with Medium and…

Chicos Food

New Mexico chicos del horno at Farmers Chile Market in Albuquerque

Few foods outside of red and green chile will evoke such a comfortable and homey feeling as chicos and pinto beans. Pinto beans are a staple in New Mexican cuisine, with people getting very excited for new crop beans in…

Albuquerque Chile

Hatch chile ristras hanging up at Farmers Chile Market

If you think about chile in Albuquerque, probably two names come up, Farmers Market and Fruit Basket. A large reason for that is that we both have a lot of history in Albuquerque. When we first started roasting chile in…

Where to hang a Chile Ristra

Hatch chile ristras hanging up at Farmers Chile Market

It seems like you or someone who cares about you took a trip to New Mexico and you ended up with a Hatch red chile ristra. Congratulations, you have acquired the most delicious decoration in the world. Now, where would…

How to choose good New Mexico chile

Super spicy New Mexican Lumbre chiles

It’s June now, which means that chile has already been in the ground for over a month in all the major farming regions of New Mexico. We are around 2 months away from the 2024 chile season, and the time…

Local Estancia Pinto Beans

Local New Mexico pinto bean bags

When it comes to local beans, we have tried many different farms since we started in 1962. There are bean growing regions in many areas of New Mexico, but our go to place in the last 20 years has been…

What is Posole

Multicolored New Mexican posole tossed into the air

Posole, a nixtamalized corn dish, has been a staple food in Mesoamerica for centuries, evolving into diverse and delicious regional variations across Mexico. Beyond the rich history of the dish itself, each variation carries further regional influences, local flavors, and…

It’s time to grow New Mexico chile

A New Mexico green chile plant with lots of flowers

It is March 2024 now, and the weather in New Mexico now is quite cold, but it will probably be the last real winter weather of the season. That means it is almost time to plant chile! If you want…

Hatch Chile Roasting Near you in 2022

Roasted Lumbre green chile

Where to get roasted green chile When it comes to roasted Hatch green chile in Albuquerque, the original is always worth checking out. We’ve been roasting chile since 1977, before anyone else in the city. Most other roasters were just…

Chile Ristras are food

Hatch chile ristras hanging up at Farmers Chile Market

Upon traveling to New Mexico, one of the first things someone will notice is chile ristras. The eye catching strings of dried or drying red chile are quite appealing to anyone who likes the southwestern aesthetic. Throughout New Mexico, the…

New Mexico should grow chile in public spaces

A New Mexico green chile plant with lots of flowers

I have been traveling in Mexico for the past month in order to practice Spanish, in addition to learning more about chile. Something I have found while here is that agave is used as a decoration everywhere, especially in the…

New Mexico Chile Ristra FAQ

3 and 4 foot Hatch red chile ristras

All about chile ristras I get asked a lot of questions about chile ristras, ranging from “How long do ristras last?’ to “How to take care of a Hatch chile ristra?” This made me think that many people will probably…

Using chile powder

Scenery from a San Antonio, New Mexico chile farm

If you have ever walked down the spice aisle of the grocery store, odds are you have found at least one or two types of chile powder. Paprika is widely used throughout Europe and the Americas. It is not spicy,…

Why is Hatch Chile so Famous?

A New Mexico green chile plant with lots of flowers

In New Mexico, chile is a big deal to say the least. We schedule our year around picking up enough fresh roasted chile during the season. If we are running low in October, you better believe we will make a…

The New Mexican Chile Tradition

Many different varieties of New Mexico chile

If you have found yourself here, odds are you are curious about chile, whether it is from Hatch or somewhere else in New Mexico. We care a lot about our chile here, with former US senator Pete Dominici going as…

About me

Jhett, the 4th generation owner of Farmers Chile Market

I’m 34 years old, and the 4th generation of Farmers Market in Albuquerque. I grew up in the Farmers Market stores and worked there since I was about 10 years old. I’ve been roasting chile since I was 12, and…

Green Chile

Roasted Lumbre green chile

As we are a chile market in New Mexico, green chile is our bread and butter. We’ve been roasting chile in Albuquerque since 1977, and selling it since 1962. In New Mexico, green chile will be put into everything, even candy and…

Lumbre, the hottest New Mexico chile

Super spicy New Mexican Lumbre chiles

Lumbre chile is a relatively new New Mexico chile variety which is quite spicy. It was developed by Jimmy Lyttle, son of “Big Jim” Lyttle. Considering Big Jim is arguably the most famous New Mexico chile, that is some spicy…

The End of the 2021 New Mexico Chile Season

Scenery from a San Antonio, New Mexico chile farm

This season has been an interesting one to say the least. It started out incredibly slow. Part of the reason might be that other chile roasters started roasting in July, while we begin in August. The heat waves this year…

Jhett’s New Mexico Green Chile Recipe

A delicious New Mexico green chile sauce

As enthusiasts from around the world gather for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, it’s the perfect time to celebrate with a local culinary favorite—the green chile sauce. Renowned for its unique flavor, roasted green chile holds a special place in…

Fermented New Mexico Green Chile

The beginning of a batch of fermented Hatch chile

My experience with fermentation I’ve been an avid fan of fermentation for years. Whether it is brewing beer with yeast, using salt to encourage lactobacteria, or using koji to ferment different grains, I have done them all. There is a…

Estancia Pumpkins in Albuquerque

Local pie pumpkins in Albuquerque

Considering that we have run grocery stores selling local produce in Albuquerque since 1962, it should be no surprise that our pumpkins are also local. We like to keep it simple, whether it is green chile, posole, red chile ristras,…

Chile Roasting in Albuquerque

Red and green New Mexico chile roasting in Albuquerque

Where to get chile roasted in Albuquerque If you are looking to get some green chile roasted in Albuquerque, there is only one place that has been doing it since 1977. Farmers Chile Market, located at 2010 Eubank Blvd NE,…

The Many Varieties of Chile

Many different varieties of New Mexico chile

Many types of New Mexico chile Although we sell green chile by temperature, Mild, Medium, Hot, Extra Hot, XXX-hot, etc, the differences between New Mexico chile varieties run deeper than that. Chile has been a big thing in New Mexico…

Local New Mexican produce

Local New Mexico apples

We sell a lot more than red and green chile. We’ve always been a big proponent of local produce, as the farmers can pick one day and deliver to us the next day. This allows the fruit more time to…

Ode to Chile Pickers

A New Mexico green chile plant with lots of flowers

Picking chile is a pretty high paid job. In general, pickers have been making more than $15 an hour for years. That being said, I think there are few jobs more difficult that picking chile. The plants themselves don’t grow…

Pequin Chile is more than just a decoration

Hatch Pequin ristras in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Every year around mid September, New Mexico is awash in different shapes of chile ristras. If you find a ristra in the shape of a heart, wreath, cross, or something else, it’s probably made with pequin chile. The reason why,…

How to roast Hatch chile

A chile roaster roasting Hatch chile in Albuquerque, New Mexico

If you want to know how to roast New Mexico green chile, or most chile peppers, look no further. If you have arrived here, odds are you got yourself a sack or box of chile from New Mexico during the…

Will travel for New Mexico chile

Scenery from a San Antonio, New Mexico chile farm

Something nice about visiting chile farms, is that they tend to be in valleys with beautiful scenery all around. This is a picture of one of the fields at Snake Ranch in San Antonio, New Mexico, where we get most…

How to roast Hatch green chile

Green chile roaster roasting Hatch chile in Albuquerque

This page is now obsolete, and has been combined with the post How to Roast Hatch Chile to cover both roasting at home and also roasting as a professional! Please view that guide as it is much more detailed than…

Red chile is more than pods

Roasting Hatch red chile

When most people think of New Mexican red chile, they often think of a savory spicy sauce. They think of tamales, of enchiladas, of carne adovada. One thing about all of those is that they are generally not sweet. Fresh…