Why do servers ask red or green when ordering New Mexican food?
In 1996 the New Mexico State Legislature passed a House Joint Memorial declaring “Red or Green?” as the official state question. This refers to the question always asked whether one prefers red or green chile when ordering New Mexico cuisine. This measure was passed to signify the importance that the chile industry has on the economy of the state. In 2000, New Mexico produced 99,000 tons of chile valued at nearly $49-million making it the number one cash crop in terms of sales in the state.
In 1996 the New Mexico State Legislature passed a House Joint Memorial declaring “Red or Green?” as the official state question. This refers to the question of whether one prefers red or green chile when ordering New Mexican cuisine. This measure was passed to signify the importance that the chile industry has on the economy of the state. In 2000 New Mexico produced 99,000 tons of chile valued at nearly $49 million, making it the number one cash crop in terms of sales in the state.
