Sandia Chile Powder
Sandia Chile Powder
Sandia Chile Powder, Capsicum annuum, is a medium-heat chile powder that delivers 5,000-7,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). This fire-engine red powder is fruity, with a brisk sweetness and a straightforward, traditional New Mexico chile flavor. The heat in a Sandia pepper increases as the pepper matures, so the vibrant red color of our Sandia Chile Powder indicates that these peppers were picked at their peak maturity, and their peak heat.
The Sandia pepper was cultivated at the Chile Pepper Institute at New Mexico State University. A hybrid of the Anaheim pepper and the NuMex #9 cultivar, Sandia peppers have taken their place at the table since 1956. Their thin skin makes them ideal for drying and grinding into powder; a secondary hybrid, the Sandia Select, has a thicker skin and is more suited for roasting and stuffing.
Tips From Our Kitchen
Mix Sandia Chile Powder in with ranchero sauce for crazy-good huevos rancheros. Liven up breadings for chicken tenders—or chicken-fried steak—with a tablespoon of Sandia pepper in the flour. Sprinkle some Sandia Chile Powder on avocados for kick-in-the-pants guacamole, or drizzle watermelon with lime juice and Sandia Chile Powder for a surprising take on a summer favorite.
Hungry for more information?
A Spicy Guide to New Mexican Cuisine
The Guide to Seasoning Without Salt
What's So Special About New Mexico Chiles
Flavor Characteristics of Spices
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size1 tsp
Amount Per Serving
Calories10
% Daily Value*
Total Fat0g0%
Saturated Fat0g0%
Trans Fat0g
Polyunsaturated Fat0g
Monounsaturated Fat0g
Cholesterol0mg0%
Sodium2.9mg0%
Total Carbohydrate2.3g1%
Dietary Fiber0.9g4%
Total Sugars1.3g
Added Sugars0g0%
Sugar Alcohol0.0g
Protein0.4g0%
Vitamin D0mcg0%
Calcium1mg0%
Iron0mg1%
Potassium61mg1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. These values were calculated and therefore are approximate. For more accuracy, testing is advised.