Tuesday, January 24 cont. -- Our last visit on the chilly windy day was to take a driving tour of New Mexico State University and a stop at the Chile Pepper Institute. We always enjoy walking college campuses, but today it was just too cold. There are only a few roads that we were able to drive down to see some of the buildings. We always like to see if there is a theme to the college campuses we visit. We found one here. NMSU uses a Southwest theme for their buildings. Using an adobe style architectural look.
Administration building.
Also located on the NM State University campus on the second floor of the Gerald Thomas Hall, is the Chile Pepper Institute. The Institute is a research-based international nonprofit organization devoted to education, research and archiving information related to Capsicum, commonly called Chile peppers.
Located in a former classroom is the Institute and Chile Pepper Gift Shop. Chile peppers are the signature crop of New Mexico.
The Center has several educational displays, a plant display cart, many unique Chile pepper displays, several guides and the best books and posters on Chile peppers.
The student volunteer did an excellent job of explaining that during late summer (harvest time) there are more displays of the peppers and actual tasting opportunities.
A couple of Chile facts that we learned.
---One fresh green Chile pod has as much Vitamin C as six oranges.
---Hot Chile peppers burn calories by triggering a thermodynamic burn, which speeds up metabolism.
---Chile peppers are relatives of tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants; all belonging to the nightshade family.
---There are 26 categorized species of Chile pepper, five of which are domesticated.
We ended the day with RV friends Pam and John, along with Jodee and Bill. We enjoyed an unusual “dinner out” at Farley’s.
L-R, John, Jodee, Bill, Paul, Marsha, Pam
We made an error in our last post. Zuhl Museum is located in Las Cruces not El Paso. Thanks Pam for catching that for us.
We are now in Yuma, AZ. Several more posts to come until we are caught up.
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!
I have recently read several good articles regarding the health benefits of chili peppers. I would love to explore the information provided at the university. Safe travels!!
ReplyDeleteDarn that cold wind that kept all of us from really exploring the campus. It was a very pretty campus from what we saw driving around. I did learn a lot about the peppers from our stop at the Chili Pepper Institute. Definitely a different experience:) So glad we could get together for dinner. Looking forward to Tucson together:) Have fun in Yuma!
ReplyDeleteAwww, too bad you couldn't explore further. The chili pepper exhibit seemed very interesting. I wouldn't have gotten out of there without making several purchases.
ReplyDeleteAnother one on my list.
ReplyDeleteBill looked at your photos... he graduated there in 1972... didn't recognize a thing. Said Gerald Thomas Hall was president when he attended college there. Did you make it over to Hatch? Makes my mouth water just to think about green chiles!!!!
ReplyDeleteFor some unknown reason, I love visiting college campuses as well. Great information about the chili peppers! I appreciated the chili facts you shared.
ReplyDeleteYou do one heck of a lot of research discovering all these places to visit. Thank goodness you share your research as much as you share your "photos". :)
ReplyDelete