New Mexico chile powder is a spice made from dried and ground New Mexico chile peppers with mild to medium heat. New Mexico chile powder is a versatile spice you can use in many dishes, such as soups, stews, sauces, marinades, and rubs for meats. They also can be mixed with other spices like guajillo, ancho, or jalapeno pepper powder.
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What is New Mexico chili powder?
New Mexico chili powder is a spice blend made from dried New Mexico chili peppers. It has a medium heat level and a slightly sweet and smoky flavor. It may contain either red or green chile peppers.
| Origin | Originates from the state of New Mexico in the southwestern United States |
| Cuisines | Various dishes in New Mexican cuisine |
| Appearance | Dark red and has a fine texture |
| Flavor profile | Resembles a combination of dried fruits and herbs |
Origin
New Mexico chili powder originates from the state of New Mexico in the southwestern United States. The state is known for cultivating chili peppers, and the powder is a common ingredient in traditional New Mexican cuisine.
Cuisines
New Mexico chili powder can be used in various dishes in New Mexican cuisine, including enchiladas, chili con carne, and posole. It is also commonly used in Tex-Mex cuisine: tacos, burritos, tortillas, and fajitas. They can also be used in traditional red chile sauces.
Appearance
New Mexico chili powder is typically dark red and has a fine texture. It is often sold in small jars or bags in the spice aisle of grocery stores or specialty food stores.
Flavor profile
Creating New Mexico chile powder involves grinding sun-dried New Mexico chiles distinct from other single-chile variety powders such as Cayenne, ancho, pasilla, and chipotle.
New Mexico chiles have a unique aroma that resembles a combination of dried fruits and herbs. They come in about 6 inches in length and 2 inches in width and can be used both when they are immature and fully ripened.
However, the powder is generally made from red chiles. Some examples of New Mexico chiles include:
- Big Jim
- Sandia
- Anaheim
- Chile
- Colorado
- Hatch chile
- California chiles
These chiles are relatively mild in heat, although their level of spiciness can vary. The powder can range from mild to hot, depending on the type of chile used.
Nutritional Benefits of New Mexican chili powder
Researchers found that a compound in these peppers – capsaicin – has potential health benefits, including fighting inflammation, boosting immunity, and aiding in weight loss. It may help reduce cholesterol, potentially stop the spread of prostate cancer cells, and lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in some cases.
Capsaicin also has the power to relieve arthritis pain by breaking down a substance that causes joint pain.
Aside from the widespread benefits of capsaicin, chile also packs more vitamin C than citrus fruits. Just one teaspoon of this zesty condiment can provide 100% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin A.
What’s the difference between New Mexico chili powder and regular chili powder?
| New Mexico chile powder | Comes from dried New Mexico chilies, has a slightly sweeter and earthier flavor |
| Chili powder | Contains ground chiles and often includes other spices like cumin and garlic, packs more heat |
It’s important to note that New Mexico chile powder differs from chili powder.
New Mexico chili powder comes from dried New Mexico chilies, a specific chili pepper grown in the southwestern United States, particularly in New Mexico. It has a slightly sweeter and earthier flavor than regular chili powder, which contains ground chiles and often includes other spices like cumin and garlic.
What spice level is New Mexico Chile?
New Mexico Chile can range in spice level from mild to hot, depending on the variety and the individual peppers used.
New Mexico Chiles are not too spicy, but they have a bit of a kick, with a heat level of 800 to 1,400 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). They are also more flavorful than California Chiles and milder in heat, ranging from 500 to 1,000 SHU.
Generally speaking, they’re also known for the slightly softer heat than the extra-hot habaneros or ghost peppers.
What is New Mexico chili powder used for?
This powder is commonly used in Southwestern and Mexican cuisine as a seasoning or spice to add heat and flavor to various dishes such as stews, soups, sauces, chili, and meat rubs.
The unique taste of New Mexico chili powder is earthy, slightly sweet, and mildly spicy, which can add depth and complexity to these dishes. It can also be used as a seasoning for roasted vegetables, dips, and marinades or sprinkled over popcorn and roasted nuts for a spicy snack.