How to preserve fresh and delicious green chili peppers

Green chili peppers can be preserved fresh and delicious through methods such as refrigeration, freezing, air drying, oil immersion, and vacuum sealing.

1. Refrigeration

Place the green chili peppers in a fresh-keeping bag, remove the air from the bag, seal it, and then store it in the refrigerator compartment.

Refrigeration can slow down the respiration of green chili peppers, delay water and nutrient loss, and can generally be stored for about a week.

Be careful not to clean green chili peppers before refrigeration, as surface moisture will accelerate decay. It is advisable to control the refrigeration temperature between 4-8 degrees Celsius, as too low a temperature can cause frostbite.

2. Freeze

Wash and dry the green chili peppers, cut them into pieces or whole ones, and store them in a sealed bag for freezing. Freezing can preserve the nutrition and flavor of green chili peppers for a long time, making it suitable for direct use in cooking. Before freezing, blanch the green chili peppers in water for 30 seconds to help maintain their color and texture.

Frozen green chili peppers can be stored for 3-6 months and can be directly cooked without thawing.

3. Drying

Thread the green chili peppers together and hang them in a ventilated and cool place to dry. The dried green chili peppers have low moisture content and can be stored for several months without spoiling, making them suitable for making chili powder or dried chili peppers.

When drying, avoid direct sunlight, otherwise it will damage the vitamin C in chili peppers.

During the drying process, regularly flip it to ensure even drying.

4. Oil immersed

Slice the green chili and place it in a clean glass bottle. Pour in cooking oil and completely immerse it.

Oil can isolate air and prevent the oxidation and deterioration of green chili peppers, while also absorbing the fragrance of chili peppers.

Oil immersed green chili peppers can be stored for 2-3 months, and the oil can be used to stir fry and enhance the flavor.

Choose odorless vegetable oil that completely covers the chili and avoids exposing the surface.

5. Vacuum sealing

Use a vacuum sealing machine to vacuum the green chili peppers and store them. A vacuum environment can minimize oxidation and maintain the freshness and nutritional content of green chili peppers. Vacuum sealed green chili peppers can be stored for 2-3 weeks in refrigeration and for over six months in freezing. Before sealing, ensure that the surface of the green chili is dry to avoid moisture causing spoilage. When storing green chili peppers, it is important to choose intact and undamaged fruits, as different storage methods are suitable for different purposes. Refrigeration is suitable for short-term storage of fresh chili peppers, freezing is suitable for long-term storage without affecting cooking use, air drying is suitable for making dried products, oil immersion can make flavor seasonings, and vacuum sealing can maximize freshness. Choose appropriate storage methods based on actual needs, while paying attention to the cleanliness and hygiene of the storage environment to avoid cross contamination. Regular inspections should be conducted during the storage process, and any deterioration should be promptly addressed. Reasonable storage can not only extend the shelf life of green chili peppers, but also preserve their nutritional value and unique flavor.