Dried Chilies

[BadRabbit]

I have bags and bags of dried chiles but I have no idea when I should throw them out and get new ones. I usually buy them in large bags and I regularly use 5-6 varieties. Where that leaves me is with some bags of chiles that are probably 2-3 years old. Some seem to have lost flavor but I'm not sure if I'm imagining it or if they have.

When do you chunk yours out?

[OliverB]

I think a year or so would be when you should replace them, if they're stored somewhat cool and in the dark. If they don't taste that great anymore, replace.

As for your question - I haven't decided yet

[heidih]

I use my nose. If they are not making me smile as I inhale then they are history. I store mine in a cool dry place in a tightly sealed container. Timing is difficult to specify as the original storage history prior to purchase impacts.

[OliverB]

good point with the history, there's pretty much no way to know how long the peppers you bought were hanging on the rack at the store or sitting around who knows where.

If you can, dry your own, self grown or store bought. Easy and then you know.

[scubadoo97]

I keep mine in the freezer and they keep for a really long time. Never thrown any out due to age. The other reason to store them in the freezer is pantry moths. Dried chiles for me have been a big source of pantry moths.

[eldereno]

Used some old (maybe 2 years) to make AB's chili powder recipe recently and they worked great. They may have been hotter if they were fresh BUT there was still plenty of flavor there!!!

[BadRabbit]

Bonus question: When you grind whole chiles, do you grind them whole or do you seed them?

EDIT: Spelling

Edited March 8, 2011 by BadRabbit (log)

[scubadoo97]

I seed them. I'm looking for more flavor than heat

[Darienne]

Assuming I can still get my northern frozen hands on some chile worth the freezing, just how do I do it? I can look it up, of course, so I should say, how do YOU do it?

Thanks.

[scubadoo97]

Assuming I can still get my northern frozen hands on some chile worth the freezing, just how do I do it? I can look it up, of course, so I should say, how do YOU do it?

Thanks.

Are you asking how to freeze them? If so I just put them in a zip bag and seal. If I had a FoodSaver I'd use that.

[Darienne]

Assuming I can still get my northern frozen hands on some chile worth the freezing, just how do I do it? I can look it up, of course, so I should say, how do YOU do it?

Thanks.

Are you asking how to freeze them? If so I just put them in a zip bag and seal. If I had a FoodSaver I'd use that.

My error. Nope, I want to know how to dry them. Thanks.