Unlock the secrets of harvesting peppers with our expert tips. Find out when your favorite peppers are ripe enough to pick and how to store them so they taste their best. Dont miss out on a bountiful harvest!.
Super hot chili peppers pack some serious punch! Their extreme spiciness makes them stars in sauces salsas chili and more. But when’s the best time to harvest these fiery fruits? Read on for tips on identifying peak ripeness in super-hots like habaneros, ghost peppers and Carolina Reapers.
What are Super Chili Peppers?
The term “super chili” refers to varieties at the top of the Scoville scale, which measures a chili’s pungency. These ultra-hots register over 200,000 Scoville heat units (SHU). Some popular super-hots:
- Ghost Pepper – 1,041,427 SHU
- Carolina Reaper – 1,641,183 SHU
- Trinidad Moruga Scorpion – 2,009,231 SHU
- 7 Pot Douglah – 1,853,936 SHU
Super chilies pack intense, mouth-numbing heat. A little goes a long way in recipes. Handle with care!
judging Ripeness in Super Chili Peppers
It can be tricky to judge when super-hots are ripe and ready for picking Here are some tell-tale signs
Color Change
Most super chilies start off green and ripen to red, orange, yellow or chocolate brown. Full color change signals maturity.
Size
Super chilies reach 1-3 inches long when ripe. Habaneros are golf ball sized, while some super-hots stay smaller.
Texture
Ripe super chilies feel firm with a glossy, taut skin A slight softness shows full ripeness Overripe peppers feel mushy.
Heat Level
Chilies get hotter as they ripen. For super-hots, maximum burn comes at full color change.
Days to Maturity
Check seed packets – most super chilies mature 80-120 days from transplanting. Time your harvests accordingly.
Dry Spell
A dry spell with hot, sunny days helps super chilies develop more heat and fuller flavor. Time picks after dry, hot weather.
When to Harvest Super Chili Peppers
Super chilies offer a range of picking stages suited to different uses:
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Green Fruit: Unripe chilies are green and mild. Use for pickling, frying or stewing.
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Color Change: Peak flavor and moderate heat as chilies start coloring up. Good for salsas, sauces and cooking.
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Fully Ripe: Full color and maximum burn! Best for chili oil, powder, flakes and daring fresh uses.
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Beyond Ripe: Overripe wrinkled peppers still pack heat but have poorer texture. Dry these for seasoning blends.
Most gardeners wait for some color change before harvesting, for a balance of flavor and heat. But taste test to find your perfect pick point!
How to Harvest Super Chili Peppers
It’s smart to wear gloves when handling super-hots! Here are some harvesting tips:
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Use sharp scissors or pruners to cut peppers from plants, retaining some stem.
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Handle carefully to avoid rubbing off precious oils where heat resides.
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Place unwashed peppers gently into breathable basket or paper bag.
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Wash just before use. Soaking wet diminishes flavor.
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Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks, or preserve by canning, pickling, drying and freezing.
Getting the Most from Super Chili Plants
Here are some growing tips for a bountiful super chili harvest:
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Plant in warm soil (at least 65°F) after frost danger passes.
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Space 18-24 inches apart in fertile, well-draining soil.
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Place in full sun. Super chilies need at least 8 hours direct sunlight.
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Water 1-2 inches per week. Err on the dry side.
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Use high phosphorus fertilizer to promote fruiting.
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Grow in containers for easier heat management. Move indoors or use row cover if temps drop below 60°F.
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Pick often to encourage new fruit production.
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Weed, mulch and trellis to optimize plant health.
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Check for aphids, thrips, blossom end rot and sun scald.
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Pull finished plants before first frost. Compost or bring indoors.
FAQs on Harvesting Super Chili Peppers
Can you pick super chili peppers green?
Yes! Green super chilies offer a milder flavor and heat. Use them for pickling, stir fries or frying.
Do super chilies keep growing after picking?
No, super chilies do not continue ripening off the vine. Harvest at your desired stage for optimal flavor and heat.
How spicy do super chilies get?
Fully ripe, super chilies register over 200,000 SHU! The spiciest, like Carolina Reapers, top 1 million SHU. Handle with extreme care.
Can frost harm super chili plants?
Yes, a frost can damage or kill super chili plants. Pick all peppers before a frost or move potted plants indoors.
How long do picked super chilies last?
Store fresh picked super chilies for up to 2 weeks refrigerated. They last months frozen, canned, dried or pickled.
Should you wear gloves to pick super hots?
Absolutely! Latex or nitrile gloves help avoid burns from capsaicin oils. Wash hands carefully after handling.
Time your super chili harvests for optimal heat and flavor. Allow fruits to ripen fully on the plant before picking for cuisine that’s scorching hot!
Are my cayenne peppers ripe and ready to pick?
Cayenne peppers grow to about six inches long and just 1. 25 inches in diameter. They have a very strong flavor, even when theyre small.
Are my cherry peppers ripe and ready to pick?
Cherry peppers are so named because their shape and appearance when ripe resembles a tree cherry. They are a sweet, mild pepper that turns bright red when it’s fully grown. When it’s that big, it’s about the size of a cherry tomato.