Do Green Chiles Get Hotter as They Turn Red?

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Q:  Hi Dave,

We have an office dispute here…  Do green chiles (New Mexico) get hotter as they turn red?  Is there a heat difference in the "heat" of a green chile dried on the plant vs. those dried by hanging or other methods?

Thanks a fiery bunch,

Randy

 

A:  Hello Randy:

The amount of capsaicin in the pods does not increase as the pods turn red. In other words, no difference between fresh green and fresh red.  But as the fresh reds dry, they would seem to be hotter because there is less water in the pods to dilute the capsaicin.

–Dave

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