Chile de Agua

organichris · April 25, 2011

Anyone ever grow this one? I have one plant that I bought from a local tomato plant supplier. According to them this is the original chile relleno pepper, and has been grown by the same family in Mexico for 300 years. I haven't found much info for it on the net. Supposedly it is grown in the mountains and does better in cooler climates.

Stepheninky · April 25, 2011

The chile de agua is very much a local chile grown the year round in the valley of Oaxaca. The production is relatively small and almost exclusively for use in that area. A field of these plants is a very colorful sight when the chiles are ripening from a lightish green to various shades of fiery orange-red. Their shape is that of an elongated triangle tapering to a pointed tip. The surface is smooth, shiny, and slightly undulating; the flesh is thinnish with a sharp and biting flavor and is very, very hot. The sizes vary so much that is difficult to give a standard size, but let´s say 1 inch (2.5 cm) to 1 1/4 inches (about 3 cm) across the shoulders and about 4 inches (10 cm) long.

Chiles de agua are relatively expensive for local consumers and are sold in groups of say six or twelve -for 10 or 20 pesos, depending on the season- attractively displayed in Oaxacan markets, fanned out in a circle on a small, flat tray generally lined with a large green leaf.

These chiles are used in fresh and cooked sauces, but perhaps most popular is char-roasted (asado), peeled and then stuffed with a picadillo, shredded meat filling, or cheese or cut into strips and used in a relish. Chiles de agua are also used ripened and dried, but rarely now, since they have been supplanted by guajillos, wich are less expensive.

Tomado de “From my Mexican kitchen, techniques and ingredients” by Diana Kennedy

Here is another reference I found for you.

I brought back seeds from my trip to Oaxaca and grew out ‘Chile de Agua’, which apparently means ‘irrigated chile," and it was an erect pod about 4 inches long and one inch wide. But the variety with the same name from Cross Country Nurseries was much different. The pods were pendant and measured 2 ½ inches long and one inch wide. Now I know that sometimes pods grow smaller when the plants are in containers, as mine were, but that didn’t explain the change in pod orientation ( some pointing up and some pointing down). I suspect that there is a lot of variation in the pods because of the tendency of chiles to cross-pollinate.

tam91 · April 25, 2011

As a side note, that is a TERRIFIC cookbook.

organichris · April 27, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stepheninky

The chile de agua is very much a local chile grown the year round in the valley of Oaxaca. The production is relatively small and almost exclusively for use in that area. A field of these plants is a very colorful sight when the chiles are ripening from a lightish green to various shades of fiery orange-red. Their shape is that of an elongated triangle tapering to a pointed tip. The surface is smooth, shiny, and slightly undulating; the flesh is thinnish with a sharp and biting flavor and is very, very hot. The sizes vary so much that is difficult to give a standard size, but let´s say 1 inch (2.5 cm) to 1 1/4 inches (about 3 cm) across the shoulders and about 4 inches (10 cm) long.

Chiles de agua are relatively expensive for local consumers and are sold in groups of say six or twelve -for 10 or 20 pesos, depending on the season- attractively displayed in Oaxacan markets, fanned out in a circle on a small, flat tray generally lined with a large green leaf.

These chiles are used in fresh and cooked sauces, but perhaps most popular is char-roasted (asado), peeled and then stuffed with a picadillo, shredded meat filling, or cheese or cut into strips and used in a relish. Chiles de agua are also used ripened and dried, but rarely now, since they have been supplanted by guajillos, wich are less expensive.

Tomado de “From my Mexican kitchen, techniques and ingredients” by Diana Kennedy

Here is another reference I found for you.

I brought back seeds from my trip to Oaxaca and grew out ‘Chile de Agua’, which apparently means ‘irrigated chile," and it was an erect pod about 4 inches long and one inch wide. But the variety with the same name from Cross Country Nurseries was much different. The pods were pendant and measured 2 ½ inches long and one inch wide. Now I know that sometimes pods grow smaller when the plants are in containers, as mine were, but that didn’t explain the change in pod orientation ( some pointing up and some pointing down). I suspect that there is a lot of variation in the pods because of the tendency of chiles to cross-pollinate.

Thanks, dude. Sorta disappointing about the yield, but that's okay. Initially I was going to plant a Poblano in that spot, but couldn't find any locally. However, if they are as hot as I've heard I'm sure I will enjoy it even if they yield is skimpy.

DiggingDogFarm · April 27, 2011

I grew them last year from plants I bought from (Cross Country Nursery) chileplants.com
I was interested in them for crossing because the plants are supposed to be small.
The plants were not as expected...getting to 18-20 inches in height.
Fruits are nothing special....I'd much rather grow a good jalapeno or fresno.

http://www.chileplants.com/search.as...Button=Pressed

DiggingDogFarm · April 27, 2011

"Heat" is subjective, I'd describe them as medium heat....maybe in the same range as a Cayenne.

DiggingDogFarm · April 27, 2011

"But the variety with the same name from Cross Country Nurseries was much different. The pods were pendant and measured 2 ½ inches long and one inch wide. Now I know that sometimes pods grow smaller when the plants are in containers, as mine were, but that didn’t explain the change in pod orientation ( some pointing up and some pointing down). I suspect that there is a lot of variation in the pods because of the tendency of chiles to cross-pollinate."

None of the plants that I got from Cross Country had fruits pointing up.
Most fruits were 3" or so.

organichris · April 28, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiggingDogFarm

I grew them last year from plants I bought from (Cross Country Nursery) chileplants.com
I was interested in them for crossing because the plants are supposed to be small.
The plants were not as expected...getting to 18-20 inches in height.
Fruits are nothing special....I'd much rather grow a good jalapeno or fresno.

http://www.chileplants.com/search.as...Button=Pressed

I'm going to assume this one is different from the one Stepheninky grew, although there is no way of telling for sure. He said small yeilds and the link says prolific.

DiggingDogFarm · April 28, 2011

Here's the link to the source of the quote that Stepheninky posted.

http://casacrespo.com/casacrespo/?p=39

The fruits in that picture look identical to the ones I grew from Cross Country...much more so than the pic that Cross Country has on their website.

The yield I got was similar to most Jalapenos.
Not prolific by my definition, but certainly not a poor yielder.

Stepheninky · April 28, 2011

Thought I had made it clear in my post but wanted to restate that what I posted was from references I had found online as stated. I have not grow that pepper before.

I believe what was stated about the orientation of the peppers is that the ones from Cross Country Nursery grow pointed down as stated by diggingdogfarm but that the original ones grow pointed up which is indicative of a cross occurring somewhere. So they are saying Cross Country Nursery's are not true to type of the ones grown in that region in Mexico.

Either way try what you have, in your soil and environment you may get very different results. Many times I see post on tomatoes and peppers as well about how XX variety grows great or bad and have personally had very opposite results. Two pepper examples are Jalapeños and California Wonder peppers many get good results. I get fruits from both, my Jalapeños in the past seem smaller then most peoples and production is below average for me. Cayenne peppers do amazing here. Cal Wonder peppers are kinda the same but good production but the peppers are fairly small. Other bells I have tried always do very well. So sometimes trailing different things is worth it what might have lower production for one person my be a favorite producer for someone else. Just find out what works best for you and your growing conditions

organichris · April 29, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stepheninky

Thought I had made it clear in my post but wanted to restate that what I posted was from references I had found online as stated. I have not grow that pepper before.

My bad. I purchased this from Lisa Merrell's tomato plant stand. The PDF on her web site provides the following description:

A marvelous stuffing pepper. The true chili-rellano pepper of Southern Mexico. Sweet meat, but the placental tissue is hotter than hell. An inter-mountain pepper, thus it prefers the cooler temperatures of our spring and fall for production. The Carreno family of Oaxaca, Mexico has raised and sold this pepper for close to 300 years! Family members gave this rare seed to Randy Fleming, a real “character”, if ever there was one. He has shared his seed with us, thank you, Randy.

http://tomatomansdaughter.com

lowlylowlycook · April 30, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by tam91

As a side note, that is a TERRIFIC cookbook.

I just picked that book up based on your recommendation. I like it so far. Do you have advice as to which of her other books would make the best supplement?

tam91 · April 30, 2011

I have "The Art of Mexican Cooking" - that's basically recipes. But wonderful recipes. This is a book for those who like to cook, not necessarily simple recipes (though some are). I found it very authentic. When I have cooked from this book, my friend who is Mexican loved the food - tough audience for me, as some of the best Mexican food I've ever had was cooked in his garage, on a woodburning stove.

I'm not sure about other ones.

lowlylowlycook · May 1, 2011

Thanks. I'll try a few recipes and then probably pick up a second book.

tam91 · May 1, 2011

Cool - let me know which ones you like, there are so many I haven't tried.

April 25, 2011	#1
organichris Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 630	Chile de Agua Anyone ever grow this one? I have one plant that I bought from a local tomato plant supplier. According to them this is the original chile relleno pepper, and has been grown by the same family in Mexico for 300 years. I haven't found much info for it on the net. Supposedly it is grown in the mountains and does better in cooler climates.

April 25, 2011	#2
Stepheninky Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 682	The chile de agua is very much a local chile grown the year round in the valley of Oaxaca. The production is relatively small and almost exclusively for use in that area. A field of these plants is a very colorful sight when the chiles are ripening from a lightish green to various shades of fiery orange-red. Their shape is that of an elongated triangle tapering to a pointed tip. The surface is smooth, shiny, and slightly undulating; the flesh is thinnish with a sharp and biting flavor and is very, very hot. The sizes vary so much that is difficult to give a standard size, but let´s say 1 inch (2.5 cm) to 1 1/4 inches (about 3 cm) across the shoulders and about 4 inches (10 cm) long. Chiles de agua are relatively expensive for local consumers and are sold in groups of say six or twelve -for 10 or 20 pesos, depending on the season- attractively displayed in Oaxacan markets, fanned out in a circle on a small, flat tray generally lined with a large green leaf. These chiles are used in fresh and cooked sauces, but perhaps most popular is char-roasted (asado), peeled and then stuffed with a picadillo, shredded meat filling, or cheese or cut into strips and used in a relish. Chiles de agua are also used ripened and dried, but rarely now, since they have been supplanted by guajillos, wich are less expensive. Tomado de “From my Mexican kitchen, techniques and ingredients” by Diana Kennedy Here is another reference I found for you. I brought back seeds from my trip to Oaxaca and grew out ‘Chile de Agua’, which apparently means ‘irrigated chile," and it was an erect pod about 4 inches long and one inch wide. But the variety with the same name from Cross Country Nurseries was much different. The pods were pendant and measured 2 ½ inches long and one inch wide. Now I know that sometimes pods grow smaller when the plants are in containers, as mine were, but that didn’t explain the change in pod orientation ( some pointing up and some pointing down). I suspect that there is a lot of variation in the pods because of the tendency of chiles to cross-pollinate. __________________ tomatoprojects.blogspot.com

April 25, 2011	#3
tam91 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Crystal Lake IL Posts: 2,484	As a side note, that is a TERRIFIC cookbook. __________________ Tracy

April 28, 2011	#10
Stepheninky Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 682	Thought I had made it clear in my post but wanted to restate that what I posted was from references I had found online as stated. I have not grow that pepper before. I believe what was stated about the orientation of the peppers is that the ones from Cross Country Nursery grow pointed down as stated by diggingdogfarm but that the original ones grow pointed up which is indicative of a cross occurring somewhere. So they are saying Cross Country Nursery's are not true to type of the ones grown in that region in Mexico. Either way try what you have, in your soil and environment you may get very different results. Many times I see post on tomatoes and peppers as well about how XX variety grows great or bad and have personally had very opposite results. Two pepper examples are Jalapeños and California Wonder peppers many get good results. I get fruits from both, my Jalapeños in the past seem smaller then most peoples and production is below average for me. Cayenne peppers do amazing here. Cal Wonder peppers are kinda the same but good production but the peppers are fairly small. Other bells I have tried always do very well. So sometimes trailing different things is worth it what might have lower production for one person my be a favorite producer for someone else. Just find out what works best for you and your growing conditions __________________ tomatoprojects.blogspot.com

April 30, 2011	#13
tam91 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Crystal Lake IL Posts: 2,484	I have "The Art of Mexican Cooking" - that's basically recipes. But wonderful recipes. This is a book for those who like to cook, not necessarily simple recipes (though some are). I found it very authentic. When I have cooked from this book, my friend who is Mexican loved the food - tough audience for me, as some of the best Mexican food I've ever had was cooked in his garage, on a woodburning stove. I'm not sure about other ones. __________________ Tracy

April 27, 2011	#5
DiggingDogFarm Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New York State Posts: 286	I grew them last year from plants I bought from (Cross Country Nursery) chileplants.com I was interested in them for crossing because the plants are supposed to be small. The plants were not as expected...getting to 18-20 inches in height. Fruits are nothing special....I'd much rather grow a good jalapeno or fresno. http://www.chileplants.com/search.as...Button=Pressed

May 1, 2011	#14
lowlylowlycook Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2010 Location: So. Illinois (6a) Posts: 147	Thanks. I'll try a few recipes and then probably pick up a second book.