Ever tried adding homemade dried chili seeds in your recipes? Properly dried chili seeds last for a long time and not only add the much needed pungency to your food but are also great for gardening purposes. Not sure how to dry them at home? Then follow the simple steps elaborated here are get your own stock of dried chilli seeds...

Steps For Drying Chili Seeds

Step 1 – Selecting the right Chili pods for the best Chili Seeds

It is important that you pick up fresh, ripe and healthy chili pods. The seeds from such chilies will not mould or go bad when or after drying.

Step 2 - Extraction of Chili seeds or deseeding of the chili

Once you have plucked your chili, ensure that they are deseeded immediately and are not allowed to lie around. It is preferable to deseed them the same day as it was plucked. To deseed the chili, cut open the chili and extract the seeds. Ensure that the seeds are not washed as washing it might lengthen the time required for drying the chili seeds.

Step 3 - Inspection of Chili Seeds

Place the chili seeds on a piece of kitchen towel and inspect to see if any of the chili seeds are damaged or discolored. Throw the rotten seeds out and dry the rest of the chili seeds such that any leftover moisture or debris is removed.

Step 4 - Drying

You can dry your seeds either by air drying,oven drying or in a food dehydrator.
 

Food Dehydrator

The easiest, quickest and safest way to dry your chili seeds is by using a dehydrator. First line the trays of your dehydrator with waxed paper, spread the seeds out while ensuring plenty of room and then follow the instructions on the dehydrator. The time required to dry the Chili seeds will vary from dehydrator to dehydrator. Remember that when using a dehydrator you should not pile the seeds on top of each other, as it slows the drying process and consequently encourages mold growth.

Oven Drying

You can also dry your chili seeds in the oven. All you have to do is pop them into the oven and spread them out in a single layer on the oven tray that is lined with an ungreased cookie sheet.  Set the oven temperature to 150 degrees and let the seeds dry for approximately 4 hours. To ensure even drying of the chili seeds, stir them every hour or so.

Air Drying

Air drying is a simple and effective but time consuming method todry chili seeds. Spread the seeds out on a cookie sheet that is lined with waxed paper. Again, give the seeds space and spread it well such that the seeds don’t fall on each other. Place the cookie sheets outside in a dry and well lit place which is out of reach of humans and animals. The seeds should be placed under some kind of a roof for protection from rain. Ensure that the place you chose is not closed and there is good airflow as this ensures even drying of seeds and prevent damping or mold growth. My suggestion would be to choose the storage shed or greenhouse. Cover the chili seeds with some cheesecloth or tulle fabric such that dust and bugs are kept out. The best days for air drying are found during early summer. So plan your drying session such that you don’t waste such hot, sunny days. You will get your dried chili seeds in two to three days.

Step 5 – Testing the Chili Seeds

Store the dried Chili seeds in an airtight container and before you do so you can check the seeds for moisture by bending them. If they do bend then they are not dry yet. Also, if a dent is left behind on the seeds when you try and bite them and they are not brittle enough, then there is still some drying left to be done!

Tips and Warnings

• For best results chili seeds should be dehydrated until the moisture content of the seeds is less than 8%.  

• Store the seeds in airtight containers under a constant temperature in a cool, dark and dry place. Prefered temperature is 30-50 degree F.

• There are different kinds of chili seeds and as they all look similar ensure that they are well labeled and dated.

• Store chilli seeds in a cool, dark, and dry area. 

• Always use gloves when handling hot peppers, and wash your hands thoroughly before touching your face, mouth or eyes.

Image Credit: 1-hydroponics.co.uk