Ristra in Spanish means "string." People use them for decoration while others consider it a good luck charm.

This New Mexican chili is harvested while it's green. It is highly perishable compared to the mature red pod which is semi-permanent. The early settlers allowed the pods ripen to a brilliant red, dried them thoroughly under the sun, then tied them into strings.

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The historic cultural traditions are honored by the display of the traditional ristra of dried peppers, which can be seen hanging by the doors of commercial buildings and homes all around the city.

Tourists find them exotic and fascinating, so it is common to see them hand carrying ristras to the airport. They are mostly used for ornamental purposes nowadays. Sometimes they are even preserved with a lacquer which gives them more luster. They usually hold up to a year or 2. Prices vary from 6 - 32 dollars, depending on the length. Wreath ristras usually cost more.

I really wanted to buy some for our home because it would make a nice holiday wreath. I found it cumbersome, however, to hand carry and lug them around the airport. Seeing how the baggage (mis)handlers toss passenger baggage around, I wouldn't trust putting these beauties in a check-in luggage. I got some red chili pepper covers for my miniature holiday lights, though. =)