Post-Harvest Chili Management

The Pezano Community (Today's Farmers) is currently developing Organic Chili farming with control using IOT (Internet of Things) technology and in the past few weeks has harvested from a small area of land with a total of 500 chili trees planted. 

The fresh fruit harvest is sold online, using a vacuum pacing system. But of course PeZano is trying to carry out post-harvest innovations with the target of having its own market, namely by making dry abai, which is the process of dehydrating the abai fruit until it is dry.

By drying the water content of chilies using a dehydrator, the process of drying chilies using a dehydrator is very easy as follows.

Drying chilies using a dehydrator is a popular and effective method for quickly removing moisture from chilies. A dehydrator is a special tool designed to dry food by controlling the temperature and air circulation around the food. The following are the general steps in the process of drying chilies using a dehydrator:

1. Prepare chilies: Choose chilies that are fresh and free from damage. Wash the chilies with clean water and dry with a clean cloth.

2. Chop chilies: Cut chilies according to your preference. You can choose to cut the chilies into thin slices or divide them into two parts.

3. Arrange the chiles on the dehydrator rack: Place the chili slices on the dehydrator rack with enough space between each slice. Make sure none of the pieces are stacked on top of each other.

4. Set the temperature: Set the dehydrator temperature according to the manufacturer's instructions and the type of chili you are drying. In general, the recommended temperature is around 50-60 degrees Celsius.

5. Dry the chilies: Turn on the dehydrator and let the drying process take place. Drying time may vary depending on temperature, humidity, and thickness of the chiles. In most cases, chilies will dry within 6-12 hours.

6. Check dryness: After a few hours, check the chilies for dryness periodically. Dried chilies will taste crunchy and not soft. Make sure all parts of the chili are dry well.

7. Store dried chilies: Once the chilies are completely dry, cool them for a moment before storing. Store dried chilies in an airtight container or ziplock bag to maintain their quality and shelf life.

In the drying process using a dehydrator, be sure to follow the instructions for use provided by the manufacturer for the dehydrator you are using. Always make sure chilies are completely dry before storing to prevent mold growth or other damage.