Q: Hi Dave,I was just wondering, if some chiles make the skin blister, and pure capsaicin burns through the skin, what does it do to the inside of you?–Rob A: Hello Rob:Pure capsaicin would kill you if you ate it. The blistering from some chiles involves people with sensitive skins or allergies, and the blistering is contact dermatitis. Studies with …
Tips: New Hot Sauce Business
Q: Dave,I have become a recent victim of corporate cutbacks. I feel this is a good time in my life to pursue my passion for hot sauces and attempt making, bottling and marketing my own concoction of bottled heat (and taste). Any advice you can provide to help in my pursuit of the hot sauce business would be much appreciated.Thank …
The Hungaro Pepper
Q: Dear Mr. DeWitt:I’m looking for your book Peppers of the World: An Identification Guide and have not been able to find it via the Internet. I would like to purchase this book so that we may have references to peppers (descriptions, pictures, etc.) that our farm is currently producing. Also, my friend suggested that I contact you for a …
Chiles & Tomatoes: Falling Flowers
Q: Dave,The flowers on my chiles—jalapeño, serrano, habanero—and tomatoes seem to die and fall off. What could cause this ? I water every other day . –Gary A: Hello Gary:Most often, flower drop is due to high temperatures, particularly at night. Sometimes over-fertilizing is the problem. Try watering every day and don’t fertilize for a while.–Dave
Natural Inhibitors for Discoloration?
Q: Hi Dave, I make 3 types of habanero hot sauce: peach/mango, a carrot base, and a habanero mustard. None have a pH above 4, and all are hot packed sauces. In the mustard, I get a discoloration from the original vibrant yellow to a dull beige over time and in the peach I get a darkening at the top …