NuMex Big Jim

Released by Dr. Roy Nakayama in 1975, NuMex Big Jim is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest chile (Nakayama, 1975). It produces long, thick, smooth, fleshy fruits. Mature green fruits are moderately flattened. The round-shouldered fruit tapers to a hook at the apex. Mature green fruit averages 7.68 inches in length and 1.89 inches in width. It has a slightly higher heat than New Mexico 6-4, but not as high as Rio Grande 21 and Sandia. Heat level varies from plant to plant, with some plants producing mild pods and others producing hot pods. In addition to use as green chile, the fruit was adapted for dry red chile products and is higher in extractable red color than New Mexico 6-4. Mature green fruit color ranges from light to medium green. Fruit set is more concentrated and is thought to be adapted to mechanical harvesting. Its average yield for green chile is 31,761 lbs/acre. Plant height averages 16 to 26 inches. Because of the large pods, the cultivar is a favorite of home gardeners and chefs for making chile rellenos, a stuffed chile pod.