How New Mexico Chiles Are Grown & Sold

In this episode, OG Spice Guy, Jonathan Raju, sits down with special guest Michael Barnes, Directing Manager of Seco Spice, for a deep dive into the realities of growing chiles in New Mexico. We discuss why water is gold in chile country, how climate and irrigation shape flavor, and the surprising science behind some of the world’s most iconic peppers. Michael shares insider stories from Seco Spice’s fields, breaks down chile facts you’ve probably never heard (Hatch is a town!), why organic takes more to grow, and explains how farming technique show up in the final product.The conversation also highlights an exciting collaboration between High Quality Organics and Seco Spice to begin growing peppers right here in the United States—bringing more transparency, sustainability, and control to the spice supply chain.