NuMex Joe E. Parker
Also known as Joe E. Parker · New Mexico Joe Parker
NuMex Joe E. Parker is a mild Anaheim-type chile developed at New Mexico State University. It produces thick-walled, uniform 6-8 inch pods with rich flavor, ideal for roasting, stuffing, and Southwestern dishes. Released in 1990, it offers higher yields and better uniformity than New Mexico 6-4.
About 1/30 the typical heat of a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU).
Growing
~75 days to maturity
Fruit size
15–20 cm
Flavor & Use
Rich, full-bodied earthy flavor with mild heat; red pods are sweeter.
Culinary
About
The NuMex Joe E. Parker is a standout New Mexican chile cultivar developed at New Mexico State University. It produces long, tapered pods 6 to 8 inches long and 1.5 to 2 inches wide with thick, meaty walls and few seeds. Flavor is rich and earthy with no off-notes; red pods turn sweeter. Plants are highly productive, growing 24 to 30 inches tall with strong branching for heavy yields. Bred as an improvement on New Mexico 6-4 for thicker walls, higher green and red yields, and dual-purpose use. Excellent for roasting, chiles rellenos, canning whole, grilling, sauces, and fresh use in green chile recipes. Very reliable for home gardeners in the Southwest.
Backstory
The NuMex Joe E. Parker chile was developed at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico, by plant breeder Paul W. Bosland and team and released in 1990. It originated from a single-plant selection within an open-pollinated population of the 'New Mexico 6-4' variety. The cultivar was named in honor of Joe E. Parker, a 1950 NMSU graduate and longtime collaborator with the chile breeding program who assisted in its evaluation. It was bred for improved traits including thicker fruit walls, higher yields, greater uniformity, and dual-purpose use for both green and red chiles.
Appearance
Growing
Heritage
ExploreWe don't have a documented family for this pepper yet.
Sources
FAQ
- How hot is NuMex Joe E. Parker?
- Capsi’s sourced range is 811–875 SHU (Lab-verified). 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 Joe E. Parker taste like?
- Rich, full-bodied earthy flavor with mild heat; red pods are sweeter.
- How do I grow NuMex Joe E. Parker?
- NuMex Joe E. Parker: about 75 days to maturity, warm season, long growing season climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.
- What can I substitute for NuMex Joe E. Parker?
- New Mexico 6-4, Big Jim, standard Anaheim