Hatch Green Chile has a way of following people. So does Fresh Chile Company. Every so often, we reach out to customers directly to say thank you, hear their story, and remind ourselves why we do this. Recently, we added a $1,000 customer appreciation drawing to that tradition. One name gets pulled, we call them up, and we have a real conversation.
David was our latest winner. He is a New Mexico ex-pat who grew up in Velarde, a small town north of Española. He remembers rolling through Hatch as a kid during roasting season, the smell in the air, and the whole experience. Now he lives far from New Mexico, but he has ordered from us four times and found his favorites. When we called to tell him he had won, his first reaction was that he would spend it on more Hatch Chile.
We figured that was worth sharing.
Finding Something More Authentic
David told us he was looking for something beyond the watery grocery store stuff his family would grab at Walmart. He wanted something with real flavor, something that actually tasted like the Hatch Chile he remembered. He also appreciated that we carry different varieties, because as he put it: "There are a lot of different types of Hatch Chile."
He gravitates toward the Medium Green, reaches for the Christmas blend when he wants both red and green, and pulls out the Big Jims for company. He cracked a jar of the Matador for a group of guests. Their reaction? Let’s just say they were surprised in the best way.
"This stuff you can throw on a steak, burgers, burritos, salad. I’ll put it on a wedding cake if I have to."
— David, Fresh Chile customer
The Kind of Customer We Love
What stood out about David was not just that he keeps ordering. It is that he gets it. He understands the difference between a novelty heat product and something you actually want to eat. Hatch Green Chile sits in that second category. It is flavorful, versatile, and belongs on real food.
He told us winning the $1,000 means he can finally stop being "stingy with every jar" and actually share it with friends. That might be our favorite thing anyone has ever said to us.
Come Visit Us in Hatch
David mentioned his folks live near the Chiricahua Valley and that he has been trying to make it back to New Mexico during roasting season. We told him the same thing we tell anyone who has ever had that pull: come down to Hatch. We will give you a tour of the plant and send you home loaded up.
That invitation stands for anyone reading this too. If you have New Mexico roots, or you have just been meaning to see where this chile actually comes from, come find us.
In the meantime, the same varieties David keeps coming back to are in stock and ready to ship.
Thanks, David. That was a good call. Come see us in Hatch.