We are located on the campus of New Mexico State University.
940 COLLEGE DRIVE, LAS CRUCES, NM, 88003, US
Monday-Friday
8:00 AM-12:00 PM and 1:00 PM- 5:00 PM
All proceeds from Chile Pepper Institute sales go to fund chile pepper research and education at New Mexico State University.
The Chile Pepper Institute carries all but some of the oldest chile pepper seed varieties developed at New Mexico State University, garden favorites, and unusual varieties.
We also carry a wide selection of chile food products, books and merchandise.
Thank you for visiting the Chile Pepper Institute online shop.
Our business partners support us in BIG ways. Check them out and tell them where you found them.
The headline said it all: "Chili Industry Gains Foothold in the Hatch Community." The Las Vegas Daily Optic of January 17, 1929, reported that the "Farmers of [the] Hatch community, who have developed the chile industry as one which threatens the laurels of King Cotton, are moving out shipments to market." The article reported that just three years prior, only a mere 300 pounds of chile had been marketed in the entire Rincon Valley, of which the Hatch Valley was a part. As of 1929, farmers estimated that 250,000 pounds of chile were being sent to market. The Hatch Valley was on its way to being known as the Chile Capital of the World. True to the nature of a pioneer, the hardy residents of the Hatch Valley have fought against the devastation of floods, the Great Depression, and a changing economy. Their tenacity has made the Hatch Valley what it is today.
Writer Cindy Carpenter and historian Sherry Fletcher have captured the early times of the Hatch Valley's past through photographs, oral history, and historical newspapers. So whether you are a fan of red or green (chile of course), they hope you enjoy the walk back in time.
"These seeds are for my first attempt at gardening chiles in my backyard. I'm SUPER excited. A friend of mine in Houston says the Lemon Spice jalapeños are his favorite."
"High quality seeds that produce healthy plants and disease-free fruit."
The Chile Pepper Institute Teaching Garden
The Chile Pepper Institute (CPI) is the only international organization devoted to education, research and information related to chile peppers.
The Institute was established at New Mexico State University in 1992 as the place for chile aficionados to find answers to "all things chile pepper."
New Mexico State University is also the place where chile pepper research has been ongoing since Dr. Fabián García began standardizing chile pepper varieties in 1888. Dr. García is widely considered to be the father of the U.S. Mexican food industry.
Chile pepper research is conducted at the Fabián García Horticultural Science Center, where the Chile Pepper Institute also maintains the Amy Goldman Fowler Teaching Garden. Every summer and fall visitors can find more than 150 varieties of chile peppers growing here.
We are located on the campus of New Mexico State University.
940 COLLEGE DRIVE, LAS CRUCES, NM, 88003, US
Monday-Friday
8:00 AM-12:00 PM and 1:00 PM- 5:00 PM