Hatch chile refers to varieties of species of the genus Capsicum

Capsicum

Capsicum is a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family, Solanaceae. Its species are native to the Americas where they have been cultivated for thousands of years, but they are now also cultivated worldwide, used as spices, vegetables, and medicines - and have become are a key element in...

which are grown in and around Hatch, New Mexico

Hatch, New Mexico

Hatch is a village in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 1,673 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Las Cruces Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town is experiencing moderate growth, along with its outliers of Salem, Arrey, Derry, and Rincon...

. Most of these varieties of chile have been developed at New Mexico State University

New Mexico State University

New Mexico State University at Las Cruces , is a major land-grant university in Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States...

 over the last 130 years. Hatch Chile ranges in heat from very mild varieties such as NM 6-4 to varieties which are much spicier than jalapeño

Jalapeño

The jalapeño is a medium-sized chili pepper that has a warm, burning sensation when eaten. A mature jalapeño fruit is 2–3½ inches long and is commonly picked and consumed while still green, but occasionally it is allowed to fully ripen and turn crimson red...

s, such as NuMex Barker or Lumbre.

Hatch chile can be purchased locally in many parts of the Southwest, but distribution outside of the region is limited. This has led to direct marketing by small local farms online.