Hatch Pepper Season Is Here!
It’s time to hop on the Hatch Pepper bandwagon! Authentic Hatch Peppers are grown exclusively in the Hatch Valley region of New Mexico, just north of Las Cruces. This unique growing area is the only place where authentic Hatch Peppers are produced.
Researchers attribute the peppers’ distinctive flavor to the region’s combination of rich soil, high elevation, intense sunlight, warm days, and cool nights. Throughout the summer, the valley is filled with row after row of vibrant green Hatch Pepper plants stretching along the Rio Grande before it crosses into Texas and Mexico.
An older cousin of the Anaheim pepper, Hatch Peppers have thick, meaty flesh and range in heat from mild to extra hot. Their rich, earthy flavor has made them one of the most anticipated seasonal produce items in the country.
Originally a regional crop enjoyed throughout New Mexico, Hatch Peppers gradually gained popularity in neighboring Texas and Arizona. As word spread about their exceptional flavor, demand grew nationwide. Today, chefs, food bloggers, social media influencers, and food enthusiasts have helped make Hatch Peppers a seasonal sensation.
You can now find Hatch Peppers featured in retail produce departments, specialty markets, and restaurant menus across the country. Many supermarkets host popular Hatch Chile Roasts where customers can purchase fresh peppers and have them roasted on-site. Be sure to check out our Hatch Chile Roast Schedule to find an event near you.
The Hatch craze doesn’t stop with fresh peppers. Melissa’s offers a variety of Hatch-inspired favorites, including Hatch Popcorn, Hatch Salsas, Hatch Clean Snax®, Hatch Seasonings, and Hatch Pepper Powders. These flavorful products make it easy to enjoy Hatch Pepper goodness long after the fresh season ends. Visit our Hatch Essentials collection to explore all the ways you can bring the bold flavor of Hatch into your kitchen.
It’s National Watermelon Day!
August 3 is National Watermelon Day, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with one of summer’s most refreshing fruits.
Did you know that watermelon is approximately 92% water and that there are more than 1,200 varieties grown around the world? Melissa’s offers a colorful selection of seasonal watermelons, including red, yellow, and orange-fleshed varieties that create stunning fruit platters and unforgettable summer snacks. Sweet, juicy, and hydrating, watermelon is a summertime favorite that everyone loves.
One of the easiest ways to enjoy watermelon is in a refreshing agua fresca. Popular throughout Latin America, agua fresca is simply fruit-infused water that can be customized with your favorite fruits, herbs, and vegetables. Combine fresh watermelon slices, lemon slices, and cold water in a pitcher, then chill and garnish with fresh mint. For an extra-special touch, freeze some of the flavored water with small pieces of fruit to create refreshing ice cubes for your favorite beverages.
You can also create delicious agua frescas using Melissa’s Red, Yellow, or Orange Watermelons, fresh summer melons, Muscato™ Grapes, cucumbers, fresh mint, Hatch Peppers, or Jalapeño Peppers. The possibilities are endless.
Along with enjoying Hatch Peppers and refreshing agua frescas, here are a few easy ways to stay healthy and hydrated all summer long. Keep plenty of cut fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator, such as carrots, celery, watermelon, Sprite Melons, and other seasonal favorites. Healthy snacks are more likely to be chosen when they are washed, cut, and ready to eat.
Place a bowl of ripe stone fruit on the kitchen counter. Peaches, nectarines, pluots, and apricots make perfect grab-and-go snacks for busy summer days. Fresh vegetables prepared for dipping are another great option. If time is short, pick up a ready-made vegetable tray and watch how quickly it disappears.
Keep a pitcher of water infused with fresh lemon, lime, and cucumber slices in the refrigerator. It is refreshing, flavorful, and a great alternative to sugary drinks. When attending summer barbecues, consider bringing a healthy side dish such as a tropical fruit salad featuring lychees, dragon fruit, or other exotic fruits. Grain-based salads made with quinoa or farro are also nutritious and satisfying.
For a cool summer treat, freeze grapes or banana slices. For a little indulgence, dip them in melted chocolate before freezing.
Melissa’s fresh fruits and vegetables make it easy to enjoy a healthy, flavorful summer. Getting five to ten servings of fruits and vegetables each day can play an important role in your overall well-being, and summer is the perfect time to start.
