Re: [CH] Chile-Heads Digest V6 #108
fragrantgarden (fragrantgarden@fastlink.com.au)
Fri, 17 Dec 1999 17:38:18 +1100
Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 16:19:47 -0500
From: Uncle Steve <chiles@flash.net>
Subject: Re: [CH] Drying Habaneros
>"How do you dry the Habeneros or any chile pepper without
>losing the color?"
Carlos,
Chiles exposed to direct sun light for long periods of time lose their
color. Dry them quickly and keep out of direct sun light as much as
possible. Calvin has stated several other benefits of quick drying also.
If you have a "cheep" dehydrator; Freezing the Chiles first brakes the
membrane of the cells and they dry faster.
Freezing and then drying at a higher temperature (150F) also kill insects
and their eggs. It is very depressing to have a delicious large batch of
dried Chiles destroyed by insect larva spinning webs all over, under,
around and through them.
To maintain flavor and freshness store large batches of dried and/or
powdered Chiles in the freezer. Keep out only what you will use for the
next 30 days.
Steve
Good suggestion steve but the bugs still got mine. I use a cheap dryer that
only allows one setting HOT
but still got bugs in my habs only a couple of weeks after drying them.
Drying any herb is always a trade-off between colour and flavour. The
faster you dry the better the colour but the faster you dry the more
flavour you loose too.
Dont ever try dring habs in a microwave!
Mad King Michael in OZ