Dried chili peppers and chili products have always been commodities in international trade as seasonings. Dried chili peppers and chili products are important export seasonings in China. Chili is an important vegetable and seasoning, deeply loved by the people of China, especially in provinces such as Gansu, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Hunan, Hubei, and Jiangxi. Chili peppers can be stir fried, boiled, salted, eaten raw or made into Chili Powder, fresh chili sauce for consumption, and can also be made into chili oil. Chili is an indispensable and important raw material for the production of pickled vegetables. Eating chili peppers can enhance appetite, aid digestion, and have medicinal effects. Chili peppers can also extract chili red pigment, which is used in the food and cosmetics industry.
Chili peppers are produced in various countries around the world, mainly including Pakistan, India, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, Mexico, Spain, Nigeria, Bangladesh, etc. The main exporting countries include Pakistan, India, China, etc., with Pakistan and India having the highest exports. Dried chili peppers are exported from Shanxi, Guangxi, Shandong, Hunan, Guizhou, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Henan, Hebei, Hubei, Tianjin and other places in China. China exports approximately 30000 tons of dried chili peppers annually, mainly to countries such as Japan, the United States, Malaysia, Singapore, and Sri Lanka. Dehydrated Chili Whole, Dried Chili, Chaotian Chili, Sun Dried Chili Red Henan Sunny Foodstuff Co.,Ltd. , https://www.hnsunnyfood.com
Cantaloupe storage methods and management measures
To ensure the quality and longevity of sun-dried cantaloupe, it's essential to carefully select the right varieties for storage and harvest them at the optimal time. Typically, harvesting should occur 4 to 6 days before the normal harvest period when the fruit is fully matured. When picking, handle the melons gently to avoid damaging the skin, as any mechanical injuries can lead to spoilage during storage. After harvesting, let the melons dry in the field for 1 to 2 days to reduce moisture content. During transportation, minimize shaking and ensure a smooth journey to prevent bruising.
For storage, one effective method is atmosphere-controlled refrigeration. After drying, place the melons on shelves in a cold storage facility and cover them with a pre-cooled plastic sheet or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film. Maintain a temperature between 3°C and 4°C, with an oxygen level of 3% to 5%, carbon dioxide at 0% to 2%, and relative humidity between 75% and 85%. This environment helps control respiration and microbial growth, allowing the melons to remain fresh for up to four months with minimal decay.
Another traditional method is natural cooling storage, which includes both hanging and racking systems. Hanging storage is widely used by local farmers. After 10 to 20 days of post-harvest drying, the melons are placed into underground pits when the outside temperature approaches 0°C. This process helps soften the fruit slightly, reduces mechanical damage during handling, and promotes wound healing, thereby enhancing the melon’s resistance to disease.
To hang the melons, use three ropes about 1 cm thick or 2 cm wide canvas, tied every 50 cm along a pole. Place each melon on the knot, ensuring larger melons are positioned below smaller ones. Each set of ropes can hold 3 to 4 melons. During the early stages of storage, the pit may have high temperature and humidity, so regular ventilation is necessary. Installing an exhaust fan at one end and a centrifugal blower at the other can improve air circulation, especially during cooler nights in September and October in Xinjiang.
As storage progresses, the temperature usually stabilizes, but humidity levels often rise. At this stage, continuous ventilation and dehumidification are crucial. Hami melons are highly sensitive to humidity, and if the relative humidity exceeds 85%, the risk of rot increases significantly. Therefore, maintaining a humidity range of 60% to 80% is ideal. Regular inspections every 7 to 15 days are necessary to remove any overripe or spoiled melons promptly.
Racking storage involves using wooden or metal frames with 3 to 4 layers, spaced about 50 cm apart. Place wooden planks between the supports and arrange the melons horizontally on each layer, leaving 5 to 10 cm between them. Rotate the melons periodically to prevent contact with the shelf and reduce the risk of rot. The management practices are similar to those used in hanging storage.
Additional methods such as radiation, air purification, and preservative coatings can also be applied to further enhance the preservation of Hami melons, ensuring better quality and longer storage life.