Farmers Can Only Grow Hatch Chiles In One US State

Hatch chile peppers are grown exclusively in New Mexico, specifically in the Hatch Valley, a region that hugs the Rio Grande River from Arrey, New Mexico to Tonuco Mountain.

There are a host of ecological reasons why the Hatch Valley is the ideal environment for these chiles. For one, its nutrient-rich soil creates great growing conditions.

The Hatch pepper also benefits from the specific weather patterns of the Hatch Valley, which is sunny during the day and cool at night.

As a result, Hatch chile can be found in red and green variants and its spice level can vary from mild to fairly intense, though they generally have a smoky, sweet flavor.