What we often call New Mexico or Hatch chiles are actually the same chile pepper variety also known as a California or Anaheim chile. They are long and green, and dry into a deep red color with a robust flavor. However, the chiles grown in New Mexico, and most specifically the town of Hatch, are much hotter than Anaheims due to the climate in which they are grown. The dryer the climate, the hotter the chile. That is what makes Hatch chiles so special.