Mesilla
Also known as Mesilla F1 · Mesilla Cayenne
A commercial F1 hybrid cayenne pepper grown for its long slender pods and reliable yield in southern New Mexico production.
Growing
~70 days to maturity
Fruit size
23–30 cm
Flavor & Use
Straightforward cayenne heat with mild sweetness when fully red.
Culinary
About
Long, slim cayenne pods average 10 to 12 inches by about 1.5 inches, ripening from light green to bright red with a slight wrinkle near the stem. Thin walls suit drying or sauce work; plants are vigorous and productive with good fruit cover. Flavor is straightforward cayenne, usable green or fully ripe.
Backstory
Named for the Mesilla Valley of southern New Mexico, where it has been grown for cayenne mash and hot-sauce production. New Mexico State University used the hybrid as one parent, crossed with Large Red Thick, to release NuMex Las Cruces in 2010.
Appearance
Growing
Heritage
ExploreParents
Sources
FAQ
- How hot is Mesilla?
- Capsi’s sourced range is 13,200 SHU (Official breeder). Capsi uses a sourced range and a trust tier, not a single marketing number. How we verify heat: https://web.thecapsi.app/learn/heat-and-capsaicin/how-we-measure-heat
- What does Mesilla taste like?
- Straightforward cayenne heat with mild sweetness when fully red.
- How do I grow Mesilla?
- Mesilla: about 70 days to maturity, warm season climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.
- What can I substitute for Mesilla?
- Capsi does not have that recorded yet.