# NuMex Española Improved

Species: Capsicum annuum.

NuMex Española Improved is a Capsicum annuum cultivar from Española Valley, United States. Capsi’s sourced range is 1,500–2,000 SHU (Official breeder; typical 2,500). Flavor is mild, earthy, chile. Used for Roasted or fresh green chile, red chile powder and sauces, stews, salsas, and traditional New Mexican dishes.. Heat is a range, not a single marketing number.
About 1/10 the typical heat of a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU).

## Heat sources

- 1,500–2,000 SHU · Official breeder
  Danise Coon and Paul W. Bosland (2018) Research Report 792, New Mexico State University Agricultural Experiment Station
  https://pubs.nmsu.edu/research/horticulture/RR792/index.html

- 1,500–2,000 SHU · Official breeder
  Danise Coon, Stephanie Walker, Dennis Lozada, Ivette Guzman, and Paul W. Bosland NMSU Circular 706
  https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_circulars/CR706/index.html

- 2,000–4,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Sandia Seed Company product listing
  https://sandiaseed.com/products/espanola-improved-numex

- 1,500–2,500 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Atlantic Pepper Seeds / pepperseeds.ca product listing
  https://pepperseeds.ca/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=1079

## Heritage

We don't have a documented family for this pepper yet.

## Page sources

- [NMSU Circular CR706: The Chile Cultivars of New Mexico State University, 1913–2022 — primary source for release year, pedigree, fruit size, plant height, heat range, and adaptation notes](https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_circulars/CR706/)
- [Original 1984 HortScience release notice by Matta & Nakayama describing origin, fruit measurements, plant height, and suitability for short-season areas](https://journals.ashs.org/view/journals/hortsci/19/3/article-p454.xml)
- [Dave DeWitt tasting notes: mild pungency, excellent for sauces, 2,000 SHU](https://www.newmexicomagazine.org/blog/post/ultimate-new-mexico-chile-tasting-guide/)
- [Sandia Seed Company catalog: early maturity, thin-walled pods, heat range, plant size, and growing recommendations for high-altitude/cool seasons](https://www.sandiaseed.com/products/espanola-improved-numex)
- [Coverage of the 2021 NASA Plant Habitat-04 experiment growing NuMex Española Improved on the ISS, with pedigree and breeder details](https://www.lascrucesbulletin.com/stories/nmsu-chile-variant-being-grown-aboard-space-station,9078)
- [Reimer Seeds listing: days to maturity, plant height, pod length, and germination data](https://www.reimerseeds.com/numex-espanola-improved-pepper-seeds)

## FAQ
### How hot is NuMex Española Improved?

Capsi’s sourced range is 1,500–2,000 SHU (Official breeder; typical 2,500). 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 NuMex Española Improved taste like?

Robust, classic New Mexican chile flavor with mild pungency; earthy and versatile, especially well-suited for sauces.

### How do I grow NuMex Española Improved?

NuMex Española Improved: about 90 days to maturity, temperate climate, full sun, hardiness zones 8-11.

### What can I substitute for NuMex Española Improved?

Capsi does not have that recorded yet.

Page: https://web.thecapsi.app/pepper/numex-espanola-improved
Catalog: https://web.thecapsi.app/data