How Do You Know When a Cayenne Pepper Is Ripe?
For those who love spicy foods, cayenne peppers are a tasty treat, adding a little kick to everything from barbecue sauce to salsa. The peppers have visual appeal, too, especially when the thin, gleaming red fruits are strung together to dry. But for plant lovers of all kinds, perhaps the best quality of cayenne peppers is the ease with which they grow.
Facts
Cayenne pepper plants have bright green leaves and produce bounties of green peppers that turn red when ripe. They are relatively easy to grow, and contain vitamins A and C, as well as potassium. The plant originated in Central and South America and West India, though it is now grown in many parts of the world. According to LocalHarvest.org, the peppers are named for a region of French Guiana, where the plant is said to have originated.
Growing
Cayenne peppers grow best in hot temperatures with full sun. The plants prefer moist, well-drained soil and grow 12 to 24 inches tall. Place pepper plants about 12 inches apart. Plants should fully mature in 63 to 80 days, depending on climate. In most places, cayenne pepper plants are an annual and must be replanted each year. In some mild climates, though, they can be kept year-round and produce peppers perennially.
- Cayenne pepper plants have bright green leaves and produce bounties of green peppers that turn red when ripe.
Harvesting
Cayenne peppers are ready to be picked when they are about 4 to 5 inches long and are bright green. The peppers will turn red on the plant, and you can wait until then to harvest them, but they will also turn red once they are picked.
Drying
To dry peppers, string them together on a line after they are harvested and hang them until they have dried completely. Once dry, the peppers can be ground or crushed for use in spice mixes and other recipes.
Uses
Fresh cayenne peppers can be used in recipes such as salsa and chili. Peppers can also be pickled, canned or, if you don't want to freeze them, they can be kept frozen in a plastic bag. The smaller the peppers are, the hotter they will be. The seeds and membrane of the pepper are hotter than the pod, so if you like a milder taste, remove the seeds and the membrane attaching them to the pepper before you use it.
- Cayenne peppers are ready to be picked when they are about 4 to 5 inches long and are bright green.
- The peppers will turn red on the plant, and you can wait until then to harvest them, but they will also turn red once they are picked.
Related Articles
References
Resources
Writer Bio
Kate Carpenter is a reporter and designer based in Pocatello, Idaho. She has worked as a writer, designer and copy editor for three years, and she earned a degree in magazine editing and design from the University of Missouri in 2007.
