New Mexico Chile Powder

New Mexico chile powder is a spice made from dried, ground New Mexico chiles. These chiles are a variety of *Capsicum annuum*, known for their mild to medium heat and distinctive flavor. They are grown primarily in New Mexico and are often sun-dried before being ground into a powder.

Manufacturers use New Mexico chile powder to add a mild, earthy heat and a reddish-brown color to foods. It is a common ingredient in spice blends, rubs, sauces, marinades, and dips, especially those with a Southwestern or Mexican flavor profile.

New Mexico chile powder is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used as a spice. The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine have not established a tolerable upper intake level for chile powder. International bodies like JECFA have evaluated similar spice preparations. Capsaicin, the compound that gives chiles their heat, has been studied for various health effects, but research is ongoing and evidence is mixed.