even though having been to (and lived in) the top world metropolises nothing prepares you for mexico city, it definitely lives up to its reputation! despite the talk about it being a dangerous place, atmosphere is very lively and people unbelievably friendly. made some time to visit local markets to do some chilli hunting, mountains of fresh and dry chillies were ubiquitous (mostly poblanos and jalapeños) and scent of smoked chipotles ever present. a kilo of nicely corked jalapeños was only seven pesos (half a euro or three quarters of a buck). unfortunately it appeared to be slightly early in the season as there were few habaneros, manzanos or other less usual varieties. pictures shown are from la merced market. i found a couple of seed stalls and got commercial stuff for standard mexican varieties. food is paradise as it is universally spicy, dressed with plenty of different salsas and guacamole.
finally I came across a chile parado (“quiet chilli”) plant in a chinampa (semi floating flower and vegetable garden) in xochimilco, one of the last remains of what aztec agriculture must have looked like in the lake bound tenochtitlan. the chile parado is most likely an annuum variety with unripe fruits pitch black and erect, but what is most striking is the stem furriness (likely to originate from a wild variety). couldn’t help going for my second chilli plant smuggling attempt and succeeding, despite being searched twice in mexico city and amsterdam airports (staff at the latter didn’t mind allowing a live plant into europe yet intercepted my duty free tequila!)
finally I came across a chile parado (“quiet chilli”) plant in a chinampa (semi floating flower and vegetable garden) in xochimilco, one of the last remains of what aztec agriculture must have looked like in the lake bound tenochtitlan. the chile parado is most likely an annuum variety with unripe fruits pitch black and erect, but what is most striking is the stem furriness (likely to originate from a wild variety). couldn’t help going for my second chilli plant smuggling attempt and succeeding, despite being searched twice in mexico city and amsterdam airports (staff at the latter didn’t mind allowing a live plant into europe yet intercepted my duty free tequila!)
