Chilli 'Sandia' de Hatch

Capsicum annuum

• Heirloom chillies from New Mexico, North America
• Subtly sweet, spicy, crisp, and smoky flavour
• 5000-20,000 on the Scoville rating 
• Delicious roasted, dried and crushed, or simply used fresh in salsas and salads

The flavour of ‘Sandia’ green chillies has been described as lightly pungent similar to an onion, or like garlic with a subtly sweet, spicy, crisp, and smoky taste. The ripened red retains the flavour but adds an earthiness and bite, while aging delivers more of a back-heat - 5000-20000 on scoville rating

‘Sandia’ chilies are delicious roasted, dried, and crushed into chilli powder, or used fresh in salsas and salads. They are also a common decorative chilli used in chilli ristras.

Our current stock seed comes from the Hatch valley were Hatch chillies are grown in vast acreage. The terroir (altitude, climate, soil) of the valley imbues the flavour. Having grown these now for many years, we find the flavour to be closely reminiscent. The most common uses are often served diced, or within sauces and is elemental to dishes such as enchiladas, burritos, burgers, french fries, or rice.

‘Sandia’ chillies are a New Mexican chilli developed by Dr Fabián García and students in 1894 crossing local landraces and form a group of chillies know as Nu-Mex. Although they have the parentage of the Anaheim, Sandia’s are hotter.

Certified Demeter Biodynamic and Certified Organic

SEED COUNT: 20, 100 seeds
Germination: Lot#17152 90%. MAR 2025

Seed Raising, Growing and Harvest Information

TRANSPLANTS (recommended)- Sow seeds into shallow flats, 4 seeds/2.5cm about 8 weeks prior to transplanting. If possible, maintain soil temperatures at 27-32°C. Capsicum seeds germinate very slowly in cooler soil. When the first true leaves appear, transplant seedlings into 5cm cell-type containers or 10cm pots. Grow plants at approx. 21°C day and 16°C nights. Harden off plants by slightly reducing temperature to 15-18°C and reducing water for 2-3 days before transplanting.

Transplant out after frost when the soil is warm and weather is settled. Ideal seedlings have buds, but no open flowers. Set plants 30-45cm apart in rows 60-90cm apart, or 2 rows with 45cm between plants.

NOTE – 'Days to Maturity' are from transplant to green fruit. Fruit continues to mature on the plant to red.