Every American state has certain symbols that stand out to display its pride. This could be a variety of different things such as songs, colors, birds, and natural monuments that make one feel at home. They fuel a sense of belonging and culture.
New Mexico veered off down a non-traditional path when it announced that it will soon become the first U.S. state with its own official scent. A new bill has been initiated and will be passed through the state legislature that would declare a whiff of fresh green chilies as the smell of New Mexico.
The smell of chilies isn’t random as New Mexico is known as the Chili Capital of the World by the locals. The new smell declaring Bill 188 was brought to life by state senator William Soules. Soules and the Legislative Finance Committee believe that the bill will draw tourists to New Mexico.
“Peak tourist season typically begins in March and tapers down toward the end of October, which would intersect with peak green-chile aromas,” a report stated.
“The new state aroma could help draw visitors away from Colorado, which, for some reason, thinks it has green chile comparable to that of New Mexico.”
There are conditions that are tied to the bill and for starters, the chilies must be roasting in the fall. Farmers can get multiple harvests per year out of their fields and intensive production is an acceptable part of the process according to the reports.
“Under the legislation as written, these chiles roasted in the summer would be left out as part of the state’s official aroma,” the report said.
Will New Mexico be remembered for the lingering chillies scent? More importantly, will it make the cut as the official aroma of the state? Time will reveal the answers.
Source: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/23%20Regular/firs/SB0188.PDF