New Jalapeno Varieties Available

Date:  Sept. 17, 1997
Editor: D'Lyn Ford  (505) 646-6528, dlford@nmsu.edu

LAS CRUCES -- New Mexico growers will have more market options with three new jalapeno varieties recently released from New Mexico State University's Agriculture Experiment Station.

"The purpose of releasing new varieties is to give the farmers of New Mexico, and farmers everywhere, options that may yield better or have new markets," said Eric Votava, an NMSU research specialist.

Votava works with Paul Bosland, NMSU chile breeder, to design new jalapeno varieties that fit specific market niches.

One new variety, Numex Pinata, is an ornamental jalapeno developed for roadside sales. "It's unique because it's a jalapeno that goes from a light green color to a yellow to orange, and finally to red," Votava said.

Numex Primavera, the second new variety, is a very mild jalapeno, he said. Food processors can mix this chile with hotter varieties to make medium salsas. Primavera also could be sold on the east coast where people want a milder jalapeno. "If people get hooked on mild jalapenos, it's only a short amount of time before they want hotter and hotter," Votava said.

Numex Vaquero, the third new variety, is a high-yielding chile that will be less expensive than some hybrid varieties. This chile has a slender shape that is good for making uniform jalapeno wheels.

"On average, it takes about five years to develop a variety," Votava said. "We're constantly working on new varieties." Research takes place in the greenhouse, field and laboratory.

To evaluate possible new varieties, chiles are harvested, taken to the lab and analyzed for yield, wall thickness, pungency (heat) and color characteristics, which are important in the marketplace. Data is collected on new varieties for at least three years before their release, Votava said.