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The New Mexico '''chile''' pepper (plural ''chiles'') , also called ''Hatch chile'' or ''NuMex'', and informally within the [[United States|U.S.]] state of [[New Mexico]], ''green chile'' and ''red chile''. First grown by the Spanish and Pueblo Native Americans, and later by the Mexican and American territories. Chile is in the same [[family]] as the [[jalapeño]], and other long peppers, but is a distinct and unique species with a distinct and unique taste. It is used ubiquitously in New Mexican cuisine as a spice and [[flavor]]ing agent. It ranges from very mild to extremely hot. It comes in two varieties the unripe form of the plant called green chile and the ripened form of the plant called red chile, if both green chile and red chile are used it is referred to as Christmas (a reference to the color combination). It ranks as one of the most-important cash crops and culturally significant plants in New Mexico. It provides several vitamins, including [[Vitamin C]] and [[Vitamin A]] and other nutrients, which flourishes most adeptly in the high altitudes of New Mexico, and in the distinct four seasons and temperate climates within the state. It is usually grown along the Rio Grande river, however, New Mexico also has unique "land-race" peppers that are more adept at growing with lower water amounts.

The New Mexico '''chile''' pepper (plural ''chiles''), also called ''Hatch chile'' or ''NuMex'', and informally within the [[United States|U.S.]] state of [[New Mexico]], ''green chile'' and ''red chile''. First grown by the Spanish and Pueblo Native Americans, and later by the Mexican and American territories. Chile is in the same [[family]] as the [[jalapeño]], and other long peppers, but is a distinct and unique species with a distinct and unique taste. It is used ubiquitously in New Mexican cuisine as a spice and [[flavor]]ing agent. It ranges from very mild to extremely hot. It comes in two varieties the unripe form of the plant called green chile and the ripened form of the plant called red chile, if both green chile and red chile are used it is referred to as Christmas (a reference to the color combination). It ranks as one of the most-important cash crops and culturally significant plants in New Mexico. It provides several vitamins, including [[Vitamin C]] and [[Vitamin A]] and other nutrients, which flourishes most adeptly in the high altitudes of New Mexico, and in the distinct four seasons and temperate climates within the state. It is usually grown along the Rio Grande river, however, New Mexico also has unique "land-race" peppers that are more adept at growing with lower water amounts.

This species of chile is only grown in the Rio Grande valley and is not used much outside of that region. It requires extremely dry and hot weather to grow. A unique species of bacteria attacks the plant, it is theorized that the unique chemical agent that gives chile its kick evolved in response to this bacterial agent. [[Hatch, New Mexico]] is the largest agricultural producer of chile and Hatch Chile is considered some of the best by chile aficionados.

This species of chile is only grown in the Rio Grande valley and is not used much outside of that region. It requires extremely dry and hot weather to grow. A unique species of bacteria attacks the plant, it is theorized that the unique chemical agent that gives chile its kick evolved in response to this bacterial agent. [[Hatch, New Mexico]] is the largest agricultural producer of chile and Hatch Chile is considered some of the best by chile aficionados.