The best season for growing hot peppers is during the summer months from June to September. Hot peppers require dry, warm weather and soil that is adequately rich in potassium and nitrogen. Several varieties like hot jalapenos and sweet bell peppers can be harvested in either fully ripe or green conditions. These varieties are sensitive to frost.
Results to Expect When Growing Pepper Plants
The hotness of chili peppers depends on the capsaicin compounds present, which is based on the variety as well as the growing conditions. The bell peppers are the least hot, followed by varieties like peperoncini, poblano, jalapeno, cayenne, serrano, thai, habanero and scotch bonnet.
Cooking Chili Peppers
Even if you have a knack for growing pepper plants, make sure to wear rubber or plastic gloves and never touch your face when cutting hot peppers. In case you prefer not to wear gloves, make sure to thoroughly wash your hands using water and soap before you touch your eyes or face because hot peppers are very capable of burning skin and eyes.
For cooking purposes, rinse the whole chili pepper. Proceed to cut off the stem and deseed the core; however, if you really enjoy the fire, leave a few or all of the seeds in.
Minerals & Vitamins
It is a fact that chili peppers are richer in vitamin C, when compared to citrus. Red chili peppers are also very high in Iron, Potassium and Vitamin A and E.
Storage
Storage of leftover chili peppers needs special attention and care in order to maintain its freshness. Make sure to store your chili peppers for no longer than a week in your vegetable drawer. Additionally, you can even freeze peppers whole in a freezer bag for winter storage.
With practice, you can master the art of growing and cooking hot chili peppers.
Did you enjoy this article? If so, check out the "Grow Your Own Jalapenos and Super Hot Peppers in Containers" e-book for detailed, step-by-step instructions that explain how to grow all of your favorite chillies from beginning to end.
Proper Soil
Soil for growing peppers must be moist, but not soggy, and have good drainage. Cayenne peppers should not be grown near other varieties because these fruits have a tendency to cross pollinate. The container holding the soil can be mulched with an organic material, such as straw, to aid with drainage.
Sunlight Requirements
Cayenne peppers are best grown in full sun. When purchasing these plants from a garden center, make sure to choose the ones that do not have flowers or fruit yet. Once planted, the plant takes 70-80 days to bear fruit. Make sure to avoid any dangers of frost while planting.
To Seed or Not To?
Cayenne peppers are in the middle range as far as hotness is concerned. They can be used to spice up dishes that require heat, but do not need the intensity of a habanero pepper. In order to reduce the heat, the seeds inside the skin can be removed.
Cultivating cayenne peppers helps a great deal when it comes to Mexican cooking. Cayenne peppers are also used for other cuisines such as Cajun dishes. Further, in the south, it’s a common to pickle cayenne peppers by placing them in a jar and allowing them to marinate in vinegar. The juice obtained as a result is used in the flavoring of collard greens.
Other Aliases
Cayenne peppers are native to central and south America and are also known as the “Red Bird Pepper”, “African Pepper”, “Cockspur Pepper”, “Devils Tongue”, “Goats Pepper”and “Hot Flame.”
Medical Uses for Cayenne Peppers
Cayenne chili plants are also grown for medical purposes. Capsaicin, its main ingredient, helps in the treatment of digestive tract problems, congestion, migraines, fevers, muscle pains, toothaches, and sprains. It also improves blood circulation if applied topically.
In cooking, cayenne peppers can be used like a condiment and can also be dried and crushed to create a chili powder. It greatly adds taste to foods like fish, sauces, cheese dishes, egg salads and soups. It is one of the most diverse spices available today.
Did you enjoy this article? If so, check out the "Grow Your Own Jalapenos and Super Hot Peppers in Containers" e-book for detailed, step-by-step instructions that explain how to grow all of your favorite chillies from beginning to end.
Types of Chili Peppers
There are several types of peppers that are local to regions around the world including the American Southwest, Mexico, Asia and India. Peppers are very popular ingredients in spicy dishes, whether fresh or in dried or frozen form. Peppers have been prominent among cooking ingredients for over sixty centuries, with more than 400 varieties found in the world today.
Even a small amount of habanero can cause burning for over an hour if you are unaccustomed to eating very spicy food. The first thing one notices about this type of pepper is the heat, but soon after a pleasant plum, delicate apple or tomato-like flavor follows making it all worthwhile.
The term chipotle peppers does not denote a type of pepper, but instead names a process used for drying chili peppers. Jalapeno peppers are typically the variety used for this purpose and are smoke dried to produce the earthy, smoky taste of the chipotle.
Jalapeno peppers are hot and rich. The red types appear during the fall, while the green ones appear during late summer. Canned jalapeno peppers are not as hot as fresh ones.
Chili peppers are rich sources of nutrients including vitamins A and C. For example, two ounces of a chili pepper may actually contain more vitamin A than twice the dose recommended per day.
Tips for Storing and Consuming Home-Grown Chili Peppers
Chilies should be ideally firm, solid and unblemished with an even coloring. Chili peppers have a very good shelf life and can be stored in any plastic bag in the refrigerator. Wear surgical gloves when handling hot peppers. Take care to not to touch your eyes or any sensitive body part after you handle hot peppers.
Chili peppers that have been whole dried should be clean, shiny and unbroken. Store such peppers in a dark, cool place in a sealed jar along with the other spices. For reconstituting dried chili peppers, keep them immersed in hot water in a bowl until they become soft.
A major percentage of the heat in your favorite hottest pepper is found in the veins and seeds so leave those parts in to enjoy the fire! Otherwise, if you must tone down the heat, remove these parts before you eat the chili pepper. Further, if you still need to quench the spice in your mouth, drink milk or eat yogurt or bread.
Did you enjoy this article? If so, check out the "Grow Your Own Jalapenos and Super Hot Peppers in Containers" e-book for detailed, step-by-step instructions that explain how to grow all of your favorite chillies from beginning to end.
