How to store green chili peppers for a long time

Green chili peppers can be stored for a long time through methods such as refrigeration, freezing, sun drying, pickling, and vacuum sealing.

1. Refrigeration

Wash and dry the green chili peppers, seal them in a fresh-keeping bag or box, and store them in the refrigerator for about a week. When refrigerating, pay attention to checking for signs of decay and promptly remove bad fruits to avoid affecting other chili peppers. It is recommended to control the refrigeration temperature at 4-8 degrees Celsius, as high humidity can lead to mold growth.

2. Freeze

Remove the stems and wash the green chili peppers, cut them into pieces or freeze them whole, and put them in a sealed bag to exhaust the air. Freezing storage can last for 3-6 months, and the texture will soften after thawing, making it suitable for cooking. Blanch for 30 seconds before freezing to maintain color, but it may lose some of its crisp and refreshing texture.

3. Sun drying

Choose intact and undamaged green chili skewers to hang in a ventilated place for drying, or slice and lay flat for drying. Dried chili peppers that have been completely dehydrated can be stored for 6-12 months and require moisture-proof sealing. The sun drying process avoids discoloration caused by exposure to sunlight, while the shade drying method can better maintain nutritional content.

4. Marinate

Soak green chili peppers in salt water or vinegar, and add spices such as garlic to enhance the flavor. Pickled products need to be refrigerated and ensure complete immersion in liquid, and can be stored for 2-3 months. The pickling container needs to be disinfected, and if white film appears on the surface, it needs to be reprocessed.

5. Vacuum sealing

uses a vacuum machine to remove air from the packaging, isolate oxygen, and delay decay. Vacuum packaged green chili peppers can be kept fresh for up to 1 month when refrigerated and up to 8 months when frozen. Pay attention to the dryness of the chili surface during operation, as sharp parts may puncture the packaging bag.

Before storing green chili peppers, it is necessary to choose fresh, hard, and mechanically undamaged fruits. Different storage methods can affect taste and nutrient retention. For short-term storage, refrigeration is preferred, while for long-term storage, freezing or drying is recommended. Regardless of the method used, it is necessary to regularly check the storage status to avoid mold and contamination. Before consumption, pay attention to whether there is any odor or discoloration. People with special constitutions should be aware of the possible risk of allergies. Reasonable storage can maximize the retention of active ingredients such as vitamin C and capsaicin in green chili peppers.