LAS CRUCES, N.M. –– The “red chile or green chile” debate among New Mexicans may become even more divisive with the recent discovery of a new, orange variety of chile called the “NuMex Enchantment.”
The spicy, orange chile was developed by researchers from the Chile Pepper Breeding and Genetics program at New Mexico Statue University. In a process called “speed-breeding,” researchers used LED light technology to increase this unique pepper’s growth rate, which means a quicker and more abundant harvest for farmers.
“The orange color has an added value to growers and producers,” program director Dennis Lozada said. “The flavor as well as the heat— higher heat and higher yield— can help growers and producers increase their income.”
In addition to benefiting growers and producers, program manager Shahab Nourbakhsh said the pepper could add some flare to recipes and restaurants.
“You’ve never seen orange salsa, right?” Nourbakhsh said. “So that’s something else that if you’re a restaurant owner or a salsa producer, you can grab that specialty pepper, add it into your salsa mix and you have something new now.”
While NuMex Enchantment is still in the research phase, it can soon become a staple in the Chile Capitol of the World and a fierce competitor in the “red or green” debate.
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