Q: Dave,We made salsa last night and put jalapeños in it. We cut up about 24 of them and took the seeds out. After almost 24 hours our hands are still burning. The skin feels like fire. We didn’t even eat any! We love them though. What should we do?–Bryan and Lisa A: Hello Bryan and Lisa:First, don’t touch your …
When and How to Pick, Dry, and Start Anew
Q: Hello,I have a bird pepper plant my aunt brought back from Florida. It has grown very well but I don’t know when they need to be picked. They are green and about a half-inch long. Can you tell me what they should look like and what size and color they should be? Also how do you go about drying …
How to Transport Roasted Chiles
Q: Dear Dave,We are planning on going to Hatch, NM for the Chile Festival in September 2003, Labor Day weekend. We would like to purchase chiles and have them roasted. How long do we have to bring them home to Chandler, AZ and freeze them before they go bad? What is the best way to transport roasted chiles?Thanks, Duane and …
Burn on Both Ends
Q: Dear Dave,I am 18 years old and have eaten hot food my entire life, thus my tolerance is quite high. Lately, however, I find myself eating very spicy foods and sauces, and suffering later for it, when it hurts the whole way down! It seems my digestive tract just isn’t as tolerant of the capsaicin as my mouth is. …
Light Cycle for Indoor Chiles
Q: Hi Dave!I’m going to grow chile peppers in containers indoors using artificial lighting. I was wondering what would be the best light cycle for the plants during their respective periods (vegetative, flower)?–Ronald A: Hello Ronald:Chiles benefit from the long days of summer, so use a cycle of 18 hours on, 6 hours off. Unlike some plants, chiles are not …