Q: Dear Dave,I have a lot of hot pepper plants, and I’m trying to find out the best way to get rid of whiteflies. I’m having a hard time. Is there an organic way?–Gordon A: Hello Gordon:You can wash the plants with insecticidal soap, but really there is no organic solution to this problem. Everyone wants an organic solution, but …
Labuyo Chile
Q: Hi Dave,In The Philippines we have what is called in Tagalog "sili labuyo," or labuyo chili if you will. The fruits as well as the leaves are used in cooking. The chilis themselves, if I can recall, are similar to pequin or Tabasco chilis: 1/4 to 1 inch, and colors ranging from green to red. Also, when a chili …
Hexane Extraction
Q: Dave,I have quite an involved question on capsaicin. Can you tell me an exact way of extracting capsaicin from the habanero? You wrote to one guy, “Hot red chile peppers are dried, ground, and pelletized. They are treated with hexane, a petroleum distillate that acts as a solvent, and the result is oleoresin capsicum, a thick, reddish oil. The …
Watering & Fetilizer
Q: Dave,Greetings from the Iowa Great Lakes. I am going to plant 15 varieties of chile plants (about 80 plants total) this summer. Can I water with an underground lawn sprinkler system? Watering will be done in the early morning to allow for sufficient leaf drying. The water will be drawn from the lake which is quite fertile, evidenced by …
Best Place to Find Dried Chiles
Q: Dear Dave,I have been away from fiery foods for a few years. What happened to the Old Southwest Trading Company? Where is the best place to find dried chiles, especially chiltepins? Thanks, Glenn A: Hello Glenn:Old Southwest Trading Company closed long ago. For dried chiles, go to www.melissas.com and search for "chile." They have chiltepins under the term "tepin." –Dave