Hatch Chilis from Mexico? (wine, freezer, gourmet, Mexican)

[verybadgnome]

Fresh Gourmet Crispy Hatch Chilis (24 oz.) are available from Costco and Sam's Club.


On the front of the package is the statement "Made from Fresh New Mexico chilis!" while on the back it clearly states "PRODUCT OF MEXICO." The only explanation I could see is they were grown in NM and then processed in Mexico, but that is a rather odd way of getting this end product. Either way it is not a good snack and there is no discernible Hatch flavor that many people enjoy. I expect more from Costco. Buyer beware.


https://www.samsclub.com/p/crispy-ha...z/prod24910503

https://www.santafenewmexican.com/ne...92f6020d5.html

[ABQConvict]

Originally Posted by verybadgnome

On the front of the package is the statement "Made from Fresh New Mexico chilis!" while on the back it clearly states "PRODUCT OF MEXICO." The only explanation I could see is they were grown in NM and then processed in Mexico,

Hatch is the name of a town with New Mexico's largest chile packing industry. A great majority of New Mexico's chile crop is grown in the same general region as the town of Hatch.

Just to clarify, Hatch chile is not a type of chile, but can be of several different types of New Mexico cultivars and landraces originating with New Mexico chile growers. All these cultivars are variations stemming from a local landrace chile that has been grown in the region for centuries. Only chiles that are processed and packed in Hatch can be called Hatch chile.

Hatch chiles are not grown in Hatch, but can technically be from all over the state.

Not all New Mexico chiles are Hatch chiles. Most growers in the northern part of the state process their chile locally rather than shipping their crop halfway across creation to be processed and packaged in Hatch. There are smaller growing regions all over, with Lemitar and Chimayo chile being some of the most well regarded.

In short, the word Hatch is not a guarantee of authenticity regarding New Mexico chiles, nor is the absence of the word Hatch.

Look for "Grown in/Made in New Mexico" if you want the traditional flavor and product of New Mexico's centuries old chile breeding tradition.

[Jkgourmet]

Originally Posted by verybadgnome

Fresh Gourmet Crispy Hatch Chilis (24 oz.) are available from Costco and Sam's Club.


On the front of the package is the statement "Made from Fresh New Mexico chilis!" while on the back it clearly states "PRODUCT OF MEXICO." The only explanation I could see is they were grown in NM and then processed in Mexico, but that is a rather odd way of getting this end product. Either way it is not a good snack and there is no discernible Hatch flavor that many people enjoy. I expect more from Costco. Buyer beware.


https://www.samsclub.com/p/crispy-ha...z/prod24910503

https://www.santafenewmexican.com/ne...92f6020d5.html

I've never heard of or seen these before. Other online reviews are very positive,, especially used on salads..

Since I'm one of those people who annually buys 15 pounds of roasted Hatch chili to stock my freezer, I'll definitely look for them on my next Costco run.

[verybadgnome]

Originally Posted by ABQConvict

Hatch is the name of a town with New Mexico's largest chile packing industry. A great majority of New Mexico's chile crop is grown in the same general region as the town of Hatch.

Just to clarify, Hatch chile is not a type of chile, but can be of several different types of New Mexico cultivars and landraces originating with New Mexico chile growers. All these cultivars are variations stemming from a local landrace chile that has been grown in the region for centuries. Only chiles that are processed and packed in Hatch can be called Hatch chile.

So if chilis are grown in Vietnam and shipped to Hatch for processing and packing they are magically Hatch chilis?

It is not just the botanicial/species aspect that make a Hatch chili, but like wine the terroir (climate, topography and soil) that alter the taste and smell.

The Hatch chilis that HEB sells in Texas (thankfully) taste nothing like the Costco/Sam's versions. You might be able to claim the latter were ruined by processing, but at that point you might as well use Anaheim or any number of other peppers rather than ruining a more exclusive product.

[ABQConvict]

Originally Posted by verybadgnome

So if chilis are grown in Vietnam and shipped to Hatch for processing and packing they are magically Hatch chilis?

To answer this question you can refer back to the post to which you are replying:

Originally Posted by ABQConvict

Just to clarify, Hatch chile is not a type of chile, but can be of several different types of New Mexico cultivars and landraces originating with New Mexico chile growers.

Hatch chiles are not grown in Hatch, but can technically be from all over the state.

I suppose 'the state' was a bit ambiguous, but to be clear, the state I am referring to is New Mexico.