Drying Jolokias

system Chile Gardening Leave a Comment

Share on Facebook0Tweet about this on TwitterShare on Google+0Email this to someone

Dave,

I am having a terrible time trying to dry my ripe ’Bhut Jolokia’ pepper pods and have them look respectable! I have tried drying them in the sun, whole, whole with razor blade cut along their length on opposite sides, whole with both ends cut off to let air flow through, and whole, split in half with the interior laid open and I still get most pepper pods with a disgusting beige color with some red highlights. Admittedly,the humidity has been on the high side lately but the temperatures have been in the mid to high 90s. Still, I have been drying peppers for at least 35 years and I don’t remember any of them giving me this much trouble especially one with such a thin skin. I realize I can use my food dehydrator, but I rather not. If I were to use a food dehydrator, what is the maximum temperature that I can use to assure viable seeds?Any ideas? Thanks for your time,

Bill

Hello Bill:

Use the food dehydrator but remove the seeds first and then you won’t have to worry about temp. It’s the humidity that’s ruining your pods, and the sun is bleaching them.

Dave

Share on Facebook0Tweet about this on TwitterShare on Google+0Email this to someone