Drying peppers »You have these options

Suitable varieties

Drying hot peppers is easier than you think. However, the strain you choose plays an important role. Peppers with thin flesh are ideal. Due to external heat, you will soon lose the liquid, so that the drying process only takes about two weeks. With thick-fleshed varieties there is a risk that they will start to mold before the water has been completely removed. Do you have a rather unsuitable type of pepper? Don't worry, you'll find a solution for that too below.

Hot peppers air dry

Air-drying hot peppers is the most expensive option, but it is also the most natural. Unlike the other methods, you save electricity. During this process you have the choice between two options, which are best based on your space:

• Drying hot peppers in the sun
• Thread the peppers

The classic variant

A large garden is ideal for air drying hot peppers. If this is then also oriented to the south, all the conditions for successful drying are in place. Just like the traditional South American way, spread linen cloths, wooden boards or paper on the floor. A small roof, for example a roof overhang, provides additional protection against wind and humidity. Now spread the pods on this base. Make sure that the fruits do not overlap but are well distributed. Sunlight does the rest for you.

Tie ristras

The sight of a Ristra immediately transports you to the colorful ambience of Mexico, where the bizarre structures hang on every second market stall. Although each Ristra is a small work of art, the creation is very simple. You need:

• a needle
• a string
• an eyelet or a hook

that's how it works:

• 1. thread the thread
• 2. secure one end with a knot
• 3. Now thread the individual pepperoni pods by piercing them with the needle
• 4. hang the finished string on a hook on the wall. A sunny place is ideal for this

Alternatively, you can dry the fruit on a conventional line. Proceed in a similar way, only in this case stretch the cord horizontally. If you want a particularly attractive look, you should thread different colored peppers according to a certain pattern.

Dry peppers with the dehydrator

A faster variant is drying a pepperoni. Of course, you need the appropriate device for this. Nowadays, dehydrators are available almost everywhere and are also available in all price categories. When using such a device, do the following:

• 1. Wash the peppers
• 2. Remove stems
• 3. Halve the peppers lengthways
• 4. Spread the halves of the pods on the individual grids (make sure there is enough space here as well)
• 5. assemble the dehydrator according to the operating instructions
• 6. Connect the device to a power source

Depending on the performance of the dehydrator and the water content of the peppers, the process takes about eight hours. This method is also suitable for thick-fleshed varieties. In this case, drying takes longer.

Alternatives to the dehydrator

You do not have a dehydrator and do not consider it worth buying? Never mind, an oven has the same effect. The following work steps come up to you here:

• 1. Wash the peppers
• 2. Lay out the pods on a baking sheet (distribute well)
• 3. heat in the oven at around 60-80 ° C (the oven door must remain ajar)
• 4. Regularly check the degree of browning of the peppers and adjust the temperature if necessary
• 5. if the pods can be crumbled with your finger after about eight hours, they are done

Storage and use

By grinding or crumbling the dried fruit, you have made your own paprika powder that is sure to taste much better than the product you bought. Likewise, your peppers can now be kept almost forever. As a powder, they refine salads, sauces or dips. You can use the end product like a classic spice. Perhaps you would like to keep a beautiful Ristra untouched as a decoration. Otherwise, put the peppers in an airtight container and store it in a cool, light-protected place.