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How To Dehydrate Peppers And Make Powder
Dried chili peppers are made by removing the water from chili peppers and have a variety of benefits and uses. First, dehydrated peppers have a longer shelf life. Secondly, it provides a unique spiciness and aroma to many dishes. Third, dehydrated chili peppers can also be used to make chili powder, seasonings, cooking and baked goods, etc. In this article, let’s explore how to dehydrate peppers and make chili powder step by step.
Preparation: Choose the Right Pepper Variety and Ripeness
Before dehydrating peppers, first you need to select the pepper variety and maturity. Different varieties of chili peppers have different spiciness and flavor characteristics, so you can choose based on your preference. Generally speaking, mature peppers are spicier, but be careful not to choose overripe or spoiled peppers. It is recommended to choose fresh, firm and healthy peppers for best results.
Step One: Wash And Clean Peppers
Before dehydrating peppers, first clean them to remove the remaining soil or impurities. Then, dry the peppers with a towel, or if you have a large quantity, lay the peppers flat and drain the water. If you wash peppers in batches, you can use an automatic bubble washing machine, and you can also equip an air dryer to dry the moisture on the peppers. The biggest advantage is that the machine can work automatically and produce continuously.
Step Two: Cut Peppers ( Optional )
Cut the peppers into desired shapes, either slices, strips, or whole peppers. Make sure the peppers are cutted into similar thickness to ensure they can be dried evenly during the dehydration process. Here you can use a pepper slicer, which can improve work efficiency.
Step Three: Choose The Right Dehydration Method
There are many different methods for dehydrating peppers, and you can choose the best way based on your needs and resources. One method is sun drying or air dry, placing cut peppers in a sunny, dry place until they are dehydrated. Another method is to use a food dehydrator, which is specifically designed for dehydrating chilli peppers, spices, and food. Today Let’s see how to dehydrate peppers in a food dehydrator and make chilli powder.
Dehydrate Chilli Pepper In a Food Dehydrator
First, Place the chili slices or whole chili peppers evenly on the tray. Remember not to pile them up too much, which can cause lack of air circulation and affect the drying time. Then place the trays in the dryer to prepare for dehydration.
Second, Set the drying temperature to 60-80°C (140-176°F) and the drying time to 6-8 hours. Turn on the power of the dehydrator to start the process. You can turn on the dehydrator every 3 hours to observe the changes in the peppers and turn them over to adjust the appropriate time and temperature. Keep drying until the peppers are completely dry.
Here are two kinds of popular pepper dehydrators for your choose:
Step Four: Cool And Store Dehydrated Peppers
After the peppers are completely cooled, check the dryness of the peppers. If the peppers are not completely dried, put them into the dehydrator again to continue drying.
Dehydrated peppers should be stored in a dry, airtight container away from moisture and direct sunlight. Dehydrated peppers generally have a longer shelf life, but are best used within a year. When needed, the peppers can be chopped and used directly. Dehydrated chilies can also be ground into chili powder and used as spices and additives.
Step Five: Grind Chilli Pepper Into Powder
FAQS
How Long Does It Take To Dehydrate Peppers?
The drying time is related to the size of the pepper and the drying temperature. Generally speaking, it takes 8-12 hours for the whole pepper to be completely dehydrated.
How To Use Dehydrated Peppers?
Dried chilies can be used in stir-fries, soups, stews, chili sauces and condiments. It can also be made into powder or chili flakes for barbecue or mixed seasoning.
