(ALBUQUERQUE) - New Mexico State Fair attendees have spoken and the 2016 Battle of the Salsas winner has been decided! Several hundred people at the New Mexico State Fair stood in line Saturday to sample 28 salsas. After their votes were tallied, Black Market Salsa was named the best salsa in the state.

Salsa lovers of all ages made their chile- and jalapeno-scorched voices heard in the Battle of the Salsas. Ol' Gringo Chile Company's New Mexico Gold (Hot) Salsa of Las Cruces took second place, and El Rancho De Los Garcia's Salsa of Roswell took third. "New Mexicans can certainly be proud of the quality and variety of salsas that are produced in our state, and this contest truly brings out the best", said New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte as he announced the winners.

Each salsa company was presented with a salsa bowl-topped trophy from the New Mexico Chile Commission which sponsors the always-popular event. It's hosted by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA).

Battle of the Salsas is an annual contest open to all New Mexico-made, commercially produced salsas available for sale in the New Mexico Country Store. Located in the Agriculture Building on the fairgrounds, the Country Store was created 25 years ago as a place for people to discover New Mexico foods such as salsas and other chile products, spice mixes, baked goods, jams and jellies, candies, fresh produce, nuts, honey, teas, and more. The Country Store is open each day of the fair from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Find more information about salsas and other New Mexico foods and beverages at www.newmexicotradition.com.