NuMex Orange Spice – a bright orange jalapeño with unexpectedly plenty of heat
What makes NuMex Orange Spice special
NuMex Orange Spice chilli seeds are for anyone who likes the jalapeño feel (thick walls, juicy crunch, perfect for pickles and poppers) – but wants considerably more punch in the heat. This is a Capsicum annuum in jalapeño style that ripens from green to a really tangerine/orange final colour and is often as good-looking on the plant as it is useful in the kitchen.
What makes the variety special is the combination of:
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jalapeño shape and uses
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much higher heat than an ordinary jalapeño
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compact, productive habit that likes to load the plant with masses of pods
In short: a chilli that feels familiar, but bites back considerably more than you’d think.
Background and name
NuMex Orange Spice comes from breeding work linked to New Mexico State University’s Chile Pepper Institute and is part of the NuMex ‘Spice’ line in the jalapeño segment. The idea behind the series is basically simple (and rather clever): keep the jalapeño body and usability – but add more character and above all more heat, plus distinct final ripening colours.
‘Orange Spice’ refers to the clear orange ripeness and to the variety being intended as a jalapeño with extra sting – not as a mild, ‘gentle’ variant.
Appearance and growth habit
NuMex Orange Spice is a Capsicum annuum and is often experienced as relatively easy to grow once it gets going. The plant usually becomes compact to medium-tall and suits a pot well, but can also give even more harvest in a greenhouse or a really warm, sheltered spot.
The pods are typical jalapeño: short to medium-long, chubby, thick-walled and often around 5–7 cm (sometimes a bit longer). Many pods like to sit upright on the plant. They are harvested green if you want the classic jalapeño feel, but you often get the best ‘NuMex Orange Spice’ experience when they are allowed to ripen all the way to orange: more aroma, more depth and a clearer personality.
Estimated Scoville heat
NuMex Orange Spice is often given as around 50,000–70,000 SHU (this can vary between growing conditions and seed lines).
Heat class: Very hot
That means it steps up considerably compared with a ‘standard jalapeño’, but still stays in a format that is easy to use once you get to know the dosing.
Flavour and uses
The flavour is clearly jalapeño: green, fresh, peppery and juicy, with that thick pod wall that means it works in so much more than just chopped chilli in a stew. The difference is that NuMex Orange Spice is often experienced as more ‘grown-up’ in strength – and very fine when fully orange-ripe.
It suits especially well for:
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poppers (stuffed and grilled/baked)
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pickles and preserves (orange slices in a jar = dangerously good-looking)
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salsa and taco toppings
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chilli sauce where you want a jalapeño base but more sting
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drying into flakes/powder (thick-walled but turns out great when properly dried)
Ways to use NuMex Orange Spice
If you want to use it smartly:
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Slice and pickle – you get both colour and controlled heat that you can bring out any time.
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Let some pods ripen fully to orange and use them in salsa or sauce. That is often when the variety feels most like itself.
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If you are making poppers: test first with a smaller amount in the filling. This one can surprise, especially when you take a whole pod per portion.
How to grow NuMex Orange Spice
NuMex Orange Spice belongs to the species Capsicum annuum.
Sowing time: February – April.
Sow your chilli seeds indoors and give the plants good light early so they become stable and compact. The variety does well in a pot, but often gives an especially good harvest in a greenhouse or a warm, sheltered spot outdoors. Harvest regularly to keep the plant going – and do let some pods stay on and ripen fully to orange for maximum flavour and character.
The price is for 6 chilli seeds
Sow in moist seed compost and keep warm, at about 25–30°C for best germination The compost should be moist but not wet. A propagator helps to keep the air humid. Once the seedlings have grown a little and developed their second pair of leaves, you can lower the temperature to about 20°C and take them out of the propagator. They do well on a sunny windowsill, in a greenhouse and outdoors in summer. For best results, soak the seeds in Growhelper for 12–24 hours before sowing.
