The “Heated” Debate: Hatch or Pueblo Chiles, the Season is Here

Roasted chile season in Colorado typically runs from August to the end of October, depending on the weather. But I am starting to see and smell chilies roasting in local markets and street corners. The big question is: what kind are the best? Hatch or Pueblo? It is a “heated” debate in this region of the county.

The Hatch and Pueblo Chile growing regions are only 500 miles apart. So, comparing the two is like comparing apples to oranges. Let’s take a look at the differences between them.

Do you prefer Hatch or Pueblo Chiles? Hatch being roasted. Pueblo in the hands.Photo byColorado Martini

Hatch chiles

The Hatch Chile is grown in the Hatch Valley of New Mexico. They have been growing in the valley for nearly one hundred years. The Hatch Chile plant was developed at New Mexico State University in 1894. The peppers are first green and then ripen to red. The shape of a Hatch pepper is longer and skinnier than a Pueblo pepper. Their short growing season helps make Hatch Peppers special, They are planted in April and harvested in August. To preserve some peppers for later in the year, they are roasted and frozen after harvesting.

People love the Hatch because it has a 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.

The Hatch is also famous for the chile ristra and chile wreaths that people adored in their homes and use as a cooking ingredient. The red chile used in tying ristras is just the fully mature version of green chiles. It takes about an extra month of growing for red chile to be ready to tie into ristras.

Ristras in Santa Fe, New MexicoPhoto byColorado Martini

The Hatch Valley season usually runs from the beginning of August to the end of September. Depending on the weather. The season comes and goes quickly though. So, when you see vendors or stores with chile roasters get them quickly. Some say that roasting Hatch Chiles before freezing them helps preserve their flavor and makes them easier to use later. They freeze very well.

Flame roasting the chiles brings out their flavor and allows you to peel them easily. The heat level of Hatch Chiles ranges from 0 to 7,000 Scoville Heat Units, depending on the variety planted. The Hatch is considered to be milder and more consistent than the Pueblo Chiles.

Hatch Chiles after being roastedPhoto byColorado Martini

If you see "fresh" Hatch Chiles being sold at other times of the year, then it's not the real deal. Often chiles from China or South America are advertised as “Hatch Chile.” You can only get fresh Hatch between mid-July and Late September. Sometimes even in October.

• Hatch Chile Festival
  Labor Day Weekend
  Hatch, New Mexico

Have you ever had a roasted Hatch Chile? Let us know in the comments.

Pueblo chiles

The growing season for Pueblo Chiles is July to October. Pueblo Chiles are meatier and thicker than other peppers, making them ideal for roasting. The Pueblo is exclusively grown in the plains of eastern Pueblo, Colorado. The region is hot and dry making it a perfect place to grow flavorful chiles. Unlike many other peppers, the Pueblo Chile grows pointing up, towards the sun, instead of hanging down. The area yields some of the hottest and most flavorful chiles.

They are hotter than Jalapenos. The heat levels of Pueblo Chiles are generally hotter than a Hatch and tend to be more inconsistent than a Hatch. The heat ranges from 5,000 to 20,000 Scoville Heat Units.

Mirasol’s Mosco is the true variety name of the Pueblo Chile. The chile can be grown elsewhere, but it can only be called a Pueblo Chile if it is grown in the Pueblo, Colorado region. Mira sol means "to look at the sun" and references the growing pattern of the chiles.

The history of the Pueblo Chile is uncertain. A variety similar to today's Pueblo was thought to have been brought to the area in the 1840s.

Each year, Pueblo hosts the Pueblo Chile Festival. Not only are Pueblo Chiles featured. But there is a Chihuahua Parade, Balloon Festival, Chili & Salsa Showdown, and more.

Have you ever had a roasted Pueblo chile? Let us know in the comments.

• Pueblo Chile Festival
  Historic Downtown Pueblo/Union Avenue
  September 20-22, 2024
  Friday 3:00 pm - 12:00 am
  Saturday 10:00am - 12:00am
  Sunday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

What do you prefer, Hatch or Pueblo? Let us know in the comments.

• How to Make a Ristra
• Guide to Roasting Chiles

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Reference

• NPS
• Hatch Chile Store
• Farmers Chile Market
• Pueblo Chile
• Ready Foods