Chili peppers play a crucial role in Mexican cuisine and have made a significant place in kitchens all over the world. These little peppers come in various colors, shapes, and levels of heat, adding unique flavors to dishes. Many of you may have heard of the most popular types of chiller peppers: Guajillo and New Mexican Chilies. However, what makes them different? You may be wondering: Is Chile Guajillo the same as New Mexico? To get an answer to this question, continue reading this blog.
The Guajillo pepper is a type of chili that comes from Mexico. It is the dried version of Mirasol chili, which is picked when it’s ripe and then dried to give it a red-brown color. Guajillo peppers are related to the same family as other well-known peppers like serranos and jalapenos.
They are commonly used in Mexican dishes, especially in soups, sauces, and stews. They are most commonly soaked in warm water to soften them before using them so that they can release their full flavor. Guajillos are considered mild with a Scoville rating of 2,500 to 5,000 SGU. It is milder than habaneros or ghost peppers. The flavor of Guajillo peppers is semi-sweet, smoky, and fruity, which makes them an important ingredient in many dishes. Their heat level is similar to that of a jalapeno, making them ideal for those looking to enjoy a mild to moderate spice in their food.
The New Mexican Chile is also called Hatch Chile. It is grown in the Hatch Valley of New Mexico, USA. The heat level of New Mexico Chiles ranges between 1,000 and 8,000 SHU. New Mexico chiles are usually harvested in late summer or early fall, and their slightly sweet and earthy flavor makes them highly demanded in Southwestern cuisine. They are roasted before using. The medium heat level of New Mexico chiles makes them the best choice for adding a bit of spice to your cuisine.
While both the Guajillo and New Mexico Chile Peppers share some similarities, you will also find Chile Guajillo vs New Mexico difference:
Guajillo peppers are around 3-5 inches long and have a curved and narrow shape. On the other hand, New Mexico chiles are around 6-8 inches long and have a round shape.
Guajillos are red-brown in color when you dry them. On the other hand, New Mexico Chile is usually green.
Guajillo peppers have smoky, fruity, and tangy flavors. New Mexico Chiles have a slightly smoky and earthy flavor.
New Mexico chiles’ Scoville rating ranged between 1,000 and 8,000 SHU, while Guajillo peppers’ Scoville rating spans from 2,500 to 5,000 SHU.
Guajillo peppers are grown in Mexico, while New Mexico chiles come from the Hatch Valley in New Mexico, USA.
No, Guajillo and New Mexico chiles are not the same. While both belong to the same pepper family (Capsicum annuum), they differ in size, shape, flavor, heat, and growing regions.
If you need a Guajillo chile substitute, try using Ancho chiles or Pasilla chiles.
Conclusion
Choosing between Guajillo vs New Mexico chile depends on the flavor and heat level you prefer for your dish. At Terramar Essentials USA, we offer a wide variety of Chile Guajillo from Mexico.
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