6 Smokin' Hot New Mexico Chile Stores That Will Spice Up Your Life

This small, family-owned shop has been in business for more than 30 years. As well as their own line of foods, (including a blue corn chocolate chip cookie mix!), Chile Addict carries southwest goodies like ceramics, ristras, clothing (Go Lobos), and just about every chile item on the planet. Speaking of every item on the planet, the show-stopper here is the wall of chile, barbeque and hot sauces, and condiments that stretches the entire length of the building! Chile Addict is in Albuquerque at 325 Eubank Boulevard, NE.

If you're down near Deming and are looking for real-deal chile – no tourist fluff here – head to Diaz Farms Produce. This business has three generations of chile-growing experience. This once tiny operation is now a national supplier of New Mexico green, red chile, and onions. But don't worry, they still serve locals too! Along with fresh green chile and veggies, look for red pods and powder, green and jalapeno powder, chile de arbol, and pecans. They are located at 2485 Silver City Highway, NW, Deming.

Amid the bustle of downtown Santa Fe, The Chile Shop certainly sells chile blends and chile-related goodies, but they also have a large selection of New Mexico cookbooks and home goods, like sand-carved Southwestern barwear and Mimbreño china. Inspired by Mimbres Indian designs, the china was designed in the mid-1930s to be used on the Santa Fe Super Chief railroad. Find the Chile Shop at 109 East Water Street, Santa Fe.

This chile gift shop in Taos is the "Official Home of Real New Mexico Products". Everything here is made by artisans, craftspeople, and micro-businesses in New Mexico. They have the required chile ristras and wreaths, Piñon coffee, turquoise jewelry, and clothing, but look for some hand-made home furnishing and bath items here too. They are right on the Taos Plaza at 104 West Plaza.

During chile season, Sutherland Farms has you covered. They even have a mini-chile festival with live music and activities for the kids. More than just a working farm and produce market (with all kinds of fresh vegetables), they have a small bakery, cannery, and cafe. Also, Sutherland Farms is in the agro-tourism biz, with school farms tours and a robust schedule of special farm events like birthday parties and moonlight farm dinners. They are only open during months when produce is fresh; late June through the end of October. Find them at 745 Road 2900, in Aztec.

There's nothing like going straight to the source and there is no fooling here. These folks, farmers at heart, know their chile. The owners are a third generation chile-growing family. The Big Jim variety of chile is even named in honor of family member James A. Lytle. This business is the place to shop for ristras and wreaths, chile powders and salsas. In addition, for the grow-your-own set, chile seeds. Oh, and don't forget the fresh green chile. Hatch Chile Express is at 657 North Franklin Street, in Hatch.