Some Handy Tips For Using Chili Peppers

Some tips for using chili peppers:

Look for chilies with deep colors; avoid those that look discolored or have bruises or soft spots.

One way to get an idea how hot a chili pepper might taste is to break it open and sniff it; sometimes you can sense the heat. Do this carefully.

Cooking and freezing do not diminish the heat of a chili.

Fresh chilies can be kept in the refrigerator up to about a week; sliced, they can be wrapped in plastic and stored a few days.

You can freeze diced peppers in plastic bags, though freezing a whole pepper in a plastic bag can make the pepper easier to skin after it has been thawed.

Always wash your hands with soap and water after handling chilies, and be careful not to touch your eyes or other parts of your face.

If your mouth is burning from too many peppers, dairy products are the best salve.