NuMex 6-4

NuMex 6-4 is a New Mexican pod-type chile developed at New Mexico State University from New Mexico No. 6. In 1957, New Mexico No. 6 was made less hot and renamed New Mexico 6-4, then released to a local green chile processor. It became a standard New Mexico cultivar and has remained one of the classic mild long green chiles associated with New Mexican green and red chile production.

The plant is mid-tall, with branches starting low on the plant, a trait linked to its early green chile production. Its pods are large, smooth, thick-fleshed, oblong, and bluntly pointed with small bases and well-rounded smooth shoulders. Standard descriptions place the fruit at about 15.5 to 20.5 cm long and about 5 cm wide, with pendant pods and green foliage. The mature green pods are medium green, and the variety is also used as a red chile when fully ripened.

NuMex 6-4 was selected for processing quality and practical use rather than ornamental traits. Official New Mexico State University descriptions note that it matures earlier than New Mexico No. 9 and is suitable for canning, while other university material describes it as a mild cultivar that works well as either a green or red chile. It is also one of the New Mexican-type cultivars commonly used in ristras because of its drying characteristics, giving it a clear place in New Mexico chile culture as both a culinary and traditional pepper.