PORTALES, NM – August 1, 2022 – Eastern New Mexico University and New Mexico-based, Heart of the Desert Pistachios & Wines announced today the creation of the ENMU Enchanted Pistachio, a garlic and green chile pistachio and the ENMU Greyhound Crunch Caramel Pistachio Popcorn. Both products are now available online at enmu.edu/HeartOfTheDesert.
The Garlic and Green Chile Pistachio is a fresh from the farm pistachio nut, bursting with the robust flavor of Hatch green chile and fresh garlic. A nutritious snack to boost your energy level, the heat index on the Garlic & Green Pistachios is a 5 or 6. The ENMU Greyhound Crunch Popcorn has the sweet, crunchy taste of popcorn with our farm fresh pistachio kernels. A sensational, fun snack, you won't want to put it down!
The ENMU Enchanted Pistachio was chosen by a group of ENMU stakeholders who sampled over a dozen different pistachio varieties to select the official ENMU-branded pistachio. The popcorn was a recommendation from Heart of The Desert Pistachios & Wines to brand another unique product with ENMU. When the stakeholders tried the popcorn, the answer was a resounding yes to partner on this product. Revenues generated from sales of both products will support scholarships for students at Eastern New Mexico University.
"ENMU is thrilled to partner with Heart of the Desert Pistachios & Wines, a New Mexico family-owned business, to offer a New Mexico staple, pistachios," said ENMU President Patrice Caldwell. "Add Hatch green chile and we have two crowd-pleasers in their green chile-garlic pistachios and their caramel-pistachio popcorn. A great combo—scholarships for ENMU students and a treat for our tastebuds!"
The name "Enchanted Pistachios" and "Greyhound Crunch” were chosen from over 80 names that were submitted in the naming contest ENMU hosted this past spring. ENMU alumnus Zach Santos suggested the name "Enchanted Pistachios " and ENMU alumnus Rychelle Lewis suggested the name "Greyhound Crunch” as part of the naming contest and will win a prize package from ENMU.
Both labels prominently feature ENMU branding making the products easily identifiable to alumni and friends of ENMU. ENMU alumnus and current Coordinator of Creative Services Bryan Hahn created the label design.
"We are delighted to join the family of branded products for Eastern New Mexico University." said Marianne Schweers, owner of Heart of the Desert Pistachios & Wines. "Supporting scholarships to enable students to attend college is a win/win partnership of business and education. We are proud to be one of those partners with ENMU!”
ENMU and Heart of the Desert Pistachios & Wines will be hosting a free event at Heart of the Desert in Alamogordo, NM on Friday, Aug. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. for alumni and friends of ENMU to come and taste these new products. The event will feature the ENMU branded products, a cash bar and live music.
In the last year, ENMU has worked with New Mexico-based Red Rock Roasters to release Greyhound Grind Coffee, New Mexico-based Taco Box to release Silver Dawg Salsa, New Mexico-based Snugglecubs Cookies to release the ENMU Victory Cookie and New Mexico-based Lescombes Family Vineyard to release Eastern Sunrise Wine. ENMU Enchanted Pistachios and ENMU Greyhound Crunch Popcorn joins these products in helping to support scholarships at Eastern New Mexico University
To support scholarships at Eastern New Mexico University, purchase a package of ENMU Enchanted Pistachios or ENMU Greyhound Crunch by visiting enmu.edu/HeartOfTheDesert.
About Heart of the Desert Pistachios & Wines: Eagle Ranch is the name of the farming operation that is the home of New Mexico's first and largest producing pistachio groves. It is still a totally self-contained operation, with growing, harvesting, processing, and marketing their pistachios directly to the consumer. Heart of the Desert is the trademark/marketing arm of Eagle Ranch.
Heart of the Desert wines were added to the product line in 2002. The vineyard added to the diversity of the farm. 12,000 vines were planted initially, and the yield of their first crop was encouraging enough that additional vines were put in, for a total of 24,000 vines. The seven different varieties of grape vines harvested each year are: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Shiraz, Riesling, Malvasia Bianca, and Gewurztraminer, making the production of a wide range of wines possible.
About Eastern New Mexico University:
For 88 years, ENMU has prepared students for careers and advanced study. ENMU is an institution of higher learning that believes every person matters and has the potential to become more than they were yesterday. Our mission combines an engaging learning environment with current technology to provide a rich educational experience. ENMU serves students of traditional-age, adult learners and organizations through undergraduate and graduate programs. Our University is where tradition meets affordable tuition and flexibility meets fulfillment.
Contact:
Eastern New Mexico University
John Houser
Assistant Vice President Marketing and Communications
[email protected]
Phone: 575.562.2123
