Paul Keller
Learn from us not only how to dry chili. We will also show you how to use the pods to relieve tension and thus relieve your pain!
We know chili primarily as a fiery spice for sauces, stews or marinades. What many do not know: the natural active ingredient capsaicin, which makes the pods hot, also helps with muscle tension. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) also confirms the positive effect of capsaicin on mild back pain. In this study, you will learn more about the medicinal uses of chili.
Ergo: Instead of forgetting the leftover pods in the fridge after cooking, try drying them. We’ll show you how easy it is to do this and give you quick instructions for the relaxing chili wrap.
How to air dry chili
Air-drying your chili peppers is arguably the easier of the two methods we’re going to show you, but will obviously take longer. Depending on the size of the chili, about 4-6 weeks.
All you need is your fresh chili peppers, a thick yarn and a needle. Thread the chillies one by one using a needle and yarn. Make sure there is a certain distance between the pods. If they are too close together, they can become rotten over time. It’s best to hang your chili pepper garland in a place where it doesn’t get direct sunlight. That’s basically it. After they are completely dry, roughly chop them into flakes with a knife or use your kitchen blender.
Our tip: Chili garlands are also a great decoration in your kitchen.
Chili drying in the oven
If you want to dry your chili faster, the oven is a good alternative to air drying. When drying in the oven, you have two options. First: You cut the chili peppers lengthwise.
But before we get to option two, a warning at this point: if you cut the pods with your bare hands, be careful not to touch your face immediately afterwards. This can cause severe irritation!
Secondly, you leave them whole and, after drying, run them through the electric kitchen chopper. With the first variant, the chillies dry faster, with the second you save yourself touching the sharp inside of the fruit. So decide for yourself what you are more comfortable with. In both cases, spread the pods evenly on the baking tray and dry them for about 9 hours at 40°C. Don’t forget to use baking paper so the pods don’t stick to the baking sheet!
Dried Chili: How to Make the Chili Wrap
Once your chili peppers have been dried and chopped up, you can of course primarily use them to refine your dishes. But especially if you suffer from slight back tension from time to time, you should definitely try the chili wrap. Thanks to the circulation-promoting properties of the active ingredient capsaicin, your pain can be relieved with this application.
Attention: If you are unsure or if your back pain persists, then definitely consult a doctor!
You need:
- a small towel
- chili flakes
That’s how it’s done:
- Grind or blend the flakes into a fine powder.
- Soak the towel in warm water and wring it out.
- Sprinkle the chili powder on top, fold it once and lay it on your back for 5-10 minutes. If you have sensitive skin, make sure not to exceed the time limit!
