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Capsicum annuum

Big Jim

Cultivar United States
Scoville Heat Units 2,500
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About this pepper

Big Jim is a Capsicum annuum variety developed in New Mexico during the 1970s by Dr Roy Nakayama at New Mexico State University. The variety was bred as part of a program focused on improving chile cultivars adapted to regional growing conditions and was named after Jim Lytle, a prominent figure in the New Mexico chile industry.

The plants produce elongated pods that can reach up to approximately 30 centimetres in length. Pods mature from green to red and are commonly harvested at either stage depending on culinary use. The variety retains the mild heat and characteristic flavour associated with New Mexico chiles while emphasising larger pod size.

Big Jim is closely associated with New Mexican cuisine and is widely used for roasting and cooking. It has also been recognised in Guinness World Records for producing exceptionally long chile pods.