Drying chilli: the 3 best ways

You can dry chilli in different ways and make the hot spice last longer. We present three simple methods of drying chili peppers in this post.

Air dry chilli

Air drying chillies after harvesting is a very convenient way.

However, this is not possible in the house. To dry chillies in the air, you need relatively warm temperatures throughout. The pods should also be able to dry quite airily.
So you need a warm place in your garden where there is always a certain breeze.
Chilies should not dry in the blazing sun. A shady spot is more suitable. It is important that this is also well protected from rain.
Once you have found a suitable place, thread the chili peppers with a needle on the stems on a tear-resistant string and hang the whole thing up like a clothesline.
You should have a little patience if you want to dry chillies in this way. It can take anywhere from three to six weeks to complete the process. During this time you have to check the pods for moisture again and again.

Drying chillies in the oven is faster.

To do this, you first have to prepare the pods. Wash the chillies thoroughly and dry them with kitchen paper.
Then cut the chillies lengthways and remove the stem, the seeds and the so-called placenta. This is the thickening within the pod at the base of the stem.
Tip : Always wear gloves when cutting chilli and avoid touching your face during preparation. If chili gets into the eye, this is extremely uncomfortable.
Spread the chilli halves prepared in this way on a baking sheet lined with baking paper.
It takes about three hours for the chillies to dry in an oven preheated to 100 degrees.

If you have an automatic dehydrator, you can also dry chilli in it.

The preparation of the pods is the same as when drying in the oven. So wash and dry the chillies before removing the stem and freeing the pods of their inner life.
Spread the chillies on the floors of your dehydrator. Make sure that there is enough space for good air circulation.
At a temperature of 60 degrees it takes between 8 and 12 hours for the chillies to dry.
Tip : If you use the automatic dehydrator in the house, ensure adequate ventilation. This is especially true if you dry chilli with a lot of heat, i.e. a high scoville. Otherwise your eyes may water.

Chili peppers can be used in many ways in the kitchen. How to make curry ketchup can be read in another post.