Chilli peppers are a type of vegetable that can be harvested at the end of the summer. Sun and water are needed to grow, so picking them when they’re ripe is essential. The world’s population is growing, and the demand for food is increasing. The production of chilli peppers has also increased significantly in recent years. To meet this demand, large-scale harvesting of chillies has been carried out in various parts of the world.
The chilli pepper plant is a valuable crop to grow and can be harvested in many ways. Chilli pepper seed is common and can be planted in a pot. Chilli seedlings are also easy to find, and compost can be used as a fertiliser, so growing chillies is easy. The most common way to harvest chilli peppers is by hand, but some machines can be used to do the job. Some people choose to pick them while they are still green and then let them ripen on the vine. Once they’ve ripened, they can be turned into sauces or pickled.
Things to Consider in Harvesting Peppers
In the world of pepper harvesting, there is a lot of information to be gathered and evaluated. It is a scorching topic in the marketing world, and it will not die out anytime soon. The chilli industry is worth billions of dollars every year. It is one of the essential spices we use in our cooking. And there are a lot of companies that are trying to make their products more appealing by using more chilli in them.
When you harvest chilli, you only want to do it correctly. It’s unnecessary to do it with a precision that is as close as possible. But you should be able to know the different things that you must consider:
Pepper Colour
Pepper colour is an essential aspect of the harvesting of chilli peppers. It is an important factor to consider when choosing the right pepper for a particular dish. Pepper colour is a crucial factor for the quality of chilli peppers.
Since the colour is not always easy to predict, it is vital to have a good knowledge of pepper colour. For example, if you plan to make a pizza, try to choose a pepper with dark colour like green chilli. However, if you want to make curry or fried rice, go for red chilli pepper.
Pepper Size
Pepper size is one of the essential factors in the harvesting process. Pepper size varies depending on variety, soil conditions, sunlight, climate and many other factors apart from pepper type.
Pepper Corking
Pepper corking is a method of harvesting chilli peppers, also known as “pepper corning” or the “pepper harvest”. It involves removing a small piece of pepper from the shell, allowing an easier harvest.
Pepper corning is commonly used in Indian kitchens to preserve fresh chilli peppers. It can be done by cutting off a small piece of pepper, allowing the rest of the pepper to ripen naturally.
How To Harvest Your Chili Peppers
In the market, there are different varieties of chilli pepper plants, such as sweet pepper, hot pepper, habanero peppers, cayenne pepper, bell peppers, banana pepper, Carolina reaper, and a prairie fire.
For its variety, there are different ways of harvesting chilli peppers, such as manual, hand-picking, and automated harvesting.
Manual Harvesting
The most common method is the manual harvesting method which involves handpicking the chillies with a knife or scissors. The most important thing about picking chilli peppers by hand is not to damage them too badly in case you accidentally make a mistake in your work.
A knife can be used as long as it has a dull edge – the sharp edges are not exposed to the sun or other harmful elements.
Another method is to use scissors which have a sharp blades and can cut through even rigid materials like vines or leaves without damaging them too much.
Automated Harvesting
Automated chilli pepper harvesters are one of the most promising technologies to save time and energy when harvesting chilli peppers. They are very efficient and can be used for other purposes than just harvesting chilli peppers.
Various methods can be used to automate the harvesting of chilli peppers:
Robot-Assisted Harvesting (RAH)
RAH involves robotic arms that harvest chilli peppers from plants without any human intervention. It is effective for large companies engaged in the world of chilli harvesting.
Automated Harvesting Using Drones (AHU)
AHU involves robots that harvest chilli peppers from plants by placing them in specific locations. This device automatically harvests your chilli fruits without needing to look for them.
Automated Harvesting Using Robots (AHR)
AHR involves machines that harvest chilli peppers by collecting them automatically with no help from humans. This benefits those with no time to pick their chillies in their large chilli yard.
When To Pick Chilli Peppers
Chilli peppers are a great source of vitamins and minerals. However, the harvest season is short, and the crop is vulnerable to pests. This means that you need to be careful when harvesting chilli peppers. Even though you pick chillies that are not yet ripe, they will still develop their colour and flavour as time goes by. But picking your chillies at the right moment will save you a lot of time, as well as give you a ready-to-go chilli that you can use in different types of sauces or dippings.
To harvest chilli peppers safely, you need to know when it is harvest time. The best time for harvesting chilli peppers is generally between October and March. These months produce many ripe chillies ready to be consumed or sold in the market.
If grown in a greenhouse, chillies are generally ready for harvest from mid-summer through autumn. It is expected that outdoor fruiting will begin in August.
Conclusion
If you are looking to get your hands on some delicious chilli peppers, there are a few things that you need to do:
First, observe the chilli pepper’s colour, size, and corking to know when they are ready. Different varieties of chilli also have their characteristics of being ready to be picked, so you must be careful.
Next, research the best ways to harvest them — either by manual picking using a knife or scissors or automated picking.
Lastly, store your chilli peppers in a cool, dry place until you need them.
In conclusion, harvesting chilli peppers is a fun, easy, and rewarding experience. Follow the instructions that you have been given to ensure that you get the most out of your chilli pepper harvest! Be sure to use caution when handling hot peppers, and enjoy the flavour of this popular spice!
FAQs
When chillies are picked, do they turn red?
After you pick peppers, they continue to ripen on their own, so if you store them at room temperature, they will ripen up within a week or two; their heat would not be compromised, though be sure to check on them periodically to make sure none of them goes wrong.
Can chillies be harvested more than once?
Green chillies can be plucked 8-10 times, whereas ripe chillies can be plucked 5-6 times.
What is the maximum time you can leave a chilli plant?
It is usually recommended to wait five days before picking chillies that have changed colour. The spice can only be achieved by giving it time to produce more fructose and capsaicin. Leaving them hanging longer than ten days will result in even more blooms and fruits.
