NuMex Pumpkin Spice
A colorful, medium-heat jalapeno developed at NMSU Chile Pepper Institute in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Ripens to striking pumpkin orange with fruity notes and about 22,000 SHU; compact plants ideal for gardens and containers.
Growing
~65 days to maturity
Fruit size
5–6.5 cm
Flavor & Use
Semi-sweet, earthy, and fruity with moderate spice. Ripe orange fruits develop more pronounced fruity notes than standard jalapeños.
Culinary
About
NuMex Pumpkin Spice is an open-pollinated jalapeno-type pepper (Capsicum annuum) released in 2015 by the New Mexico State University Chile Pepper Breeding Program. Developed from a 1995 hybridization between 'Permagreen' bell pepper and 'Early Jalapeno' followed by extensive pedigree selection for pod type and unique mature fruit color, it produces compact plants with a concentrated fruit set. The smooth-skinned pods average 5.9 cm in length, ripening from green to a vibrant pumpkin orange (Munsell 7.5 YR 7/14) with medium wall thickness of 2.3-2.6 mm. It delivers approximately 22,200 SHU of heat with a semi-sweet, earthy, and fruity flavor that stands out from standard green jalapeños, making it popular for fresh salsas, pickling, and market displays where color enhances appeal.
Backstory
Originated in 1995 from a cross between 'Permagreen' bell pepper and 'Early Jalapeno' at the Leyendecker Plant Science Research Center near Las Cruces, NM. Developed through multiple generations of pedigree breeding and single-plant selection by the NMSU Chile Pepper Breeding Program team led by Paul W. Bosland and Danise Coon to introduce novel mature fruit colors to the jalapeno market. Released in 2015 alongside NuMex Lemon Spice and NuMex Orange Spice.
Appearance
Growing
Heritage
We don't have a documented family for this pepper yet.