Scoville Heat Units: 3,000-5,000 SHU
The New Mexico 6-4 Heritage chile pepper was developed around 1998 from a seed bank of the original New Mexico 6-4. The original NM 6-4, which was released in 1957, had “run out,” meaning that after so many years of commercial growing, it had lost much of its flavor and aroma, and had increased its variability in heat levels, maturity date, and yield.
In 1998 Dr. Paul Bosland, along with NMSU’s Chile Pepper Institute and Biad Chili, used seeds from the original NM 6-4 that had been frozen in a storage lab to create the new line of chile. Dr. Bosland grew the peppers for three years, perfecting the line by selecting for more flavor and improved yield.
The result was a chile with five times more flavor and aroma than the original, and the flavor is even stronger and richer when roasted. They grow to 5-8 inches in length.
Timothy Mannen says
I am a transplanted Alaskan, and have been growing the New Mexico 6-4 L in my yard garden in El Dorado at Santa Fe. We are enjoying the 'fruits' of our labors as I write this comment.
All of my peppers are being grown in large fiber planter pots or medium-sized metal pails from our local hardware store. Both types of planters have been conducive for growing this tasty heirloom pepper.
As I have only been here in NM for 18 months, I only have 2 yields to report on.
Last years summer was very dry, without any monsoon season and not as windy as this year (2021), and oddly enough, the yield was at least 1/2 as good as this years. Our 'monsoon' season here was very helpful, except for the hail damage, which was substantial for at least 2 storm days, damaging at least 8 of my rather nice looking pepper plants. But they did go on to produce at least some decent sized peppers, which might speak to the 6-4L's overall hardiness.
Thanks for your information about the plants history. As a seed saver, I greatly appreciate knowing about this tasty and beautiful fruit.
(I would love to know WHERE the original seeds were stored, if you have that info. Thanks !)
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Timothy! I love it! Enjoy those peppers!