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Preserve the freshness and flavor of peppers for months with this method, keeping them as fresh and delicious as when they were freshly picked

Chili is a commonly used spice, but it is not consumed in large quantities on a daily basis. Therefore, when you buy chili, you often don't use it all at once. How can you preserve chili to keep it fresh for longer?

Administrator

13 March, 2024

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Cayenne pepper is an essential ingredient in many dishes, but due to its spiciness and the fact that it is used in small amounts, buying a large quantity can last for a month. However, storing cayenne pepper in the refrigerator often makes it dry, lose moisture or become moldy. Because of its low consumption, you sometimes forget to buy or buy only a few and end up wasting them. Therefore, if you know how to store cayenne pepper for a long time, you can save money and avoid the situation where you need it but it is not available at home.

To keep cayenne pepper fresh for a long time, you can follow the steps below:

Choose the pepper: To store it for a long time, you need to have good quality peppers. Choose fresh peppers with a bright and even color, smooth and not wrinkled, and avoid overly ripe ones. When choosing, look at the stem of the pepper, it should be green and thick. When you hold it, the pepper should be firm and not dented.

Choose plump and intact peppers for long-term storage

Steps to store fresh peppers with oil and plastic bottles:

Step 1: Remove the excess water from the outside skin of the pepper: After buying the pepper, you should place it in a basket or tray to let it dry and avoid water sticking to the outer skin, so avoid washing it before storing it, because if you wash it, the pepper will absorb water into the stem and lose its natural protective layer, causing it to rot quickly. Remove any shriveled or crushed peppers.

Step 2: Remove part of the stem: Remove the shriveled peppers and then use scissors to trim the stem of the peppers if they are long. Leave a section of the stem close to the head of the pepper, avoid removing the entire stem as it will allow bacteria to enter the pepper through the opening at the top of the pepper. If the stem of the pepper is too long, they will collide with each other and cause scratches, making the pepper spoil quickly.

Before putting the peppers in the refrigerator, dip them in oil and put them in plastic bottles to keep them fresh

Step 3: Dip the peppers in oil before putting them in plastic bottles: Coat the peppers with a sufficient amount of oil to evenly cover the surface of the peppers. The layer of oil helps keep the peppers moist for a long time, preventing them from drying out and losing moisture. Moreover, oil is a natural preservative for food.

Then, put the peppers in dry plastic bottles, such as empty mineral water bottles or used and washed bottles. Then tighten the caps and put these bottles of peppers in the refrigerator, the peppers will stay fresh for up to six months without losing moisture or drying out. The plastic bottles help prevent water evaporation from the peppers. You can keep these bottles of peppers in the refrigerator for 1-2 months without worrying about spoilage or drying out.

Storing peppers in the freezer:

Step 1: Select the peppers: Remove any rotten or spoiled peppers to avoid affecting other peppers.

Step 2: Remove the stems of the peppers: Remove the stems of the peppers to save space when storing them. For the method of storing in the freezer, you can completely remove the stem of the pepper. Then, rinse the peppers thoroughly and let them dry.

Step 3: Put the peppers in zip-lock plastic bags: Put the peppers in specialized food storage bags or containers. Then, put them in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator. When frozen, they will retain their freshness for up to a year. However, the disadvantage is that after thawing, the peppers will become slightly soft and need to be consumed immediately, they cannot be stored for a long time.

Frequently asked questions

Washing cayenne peppers before storing them can cause the peppers to absorb water through the stems, leading to the loss of their natural protective layer. This increases the risk of rot and reduces the overall shelf life of the peppers. Instead, it is recommended to remove any dirt or residue by gently wiping the outer skin with a dry cloth or tissue.

Coating cayenne peppers with oil creates a protective barrier that helps retain moisture and prevents the peppers from drying out. Oil also acts as a natural preservative, inhibiting the growth of microorganisms and slowing down the spoilage process. This simple step ensures that the peppers remain fresh and flavorful for a more extended period.

Yes, storing cayenne peppers in the freezer is an effective method to prolong their freshness. Remove any rotten peppers, detach the stems, and thoroughly clean the peppers before placing them in specialized food storage bags or containers. Frozen peppers can retain their quality for up to a year. However, once thawed, the peppers may become slightly soft and should be consumed immediately as they cannot be refrozen for long-term storage.