Probably, the best time of the year is here when we can start to pick the fruit and the temptation is great to have a bite to see what they are like. The obvious thing to do is to bite the end and then think, "these are not too hot." The fact is that the ends are a lot milder than the tops, so a follow up bite nearer the top can send the senses delerious.
The time to start picking is when they are just turning from green to orange or red or whatever colour they will end up being. If the fruits ripen fully before picking, the plant will stop producing flowers, believing that its function in life of procreation is complete. Picking while still green can extend the fruiting period and produce a bigger crop.
Pick the chillies by bending the fruit stalk away from the stem. It should come away easily. One exception to this is with the Pequin whereby the fruit stalk easily comes away from the fruit and not the stem. Beware though of getting juice on the fingers as this could be painful later. (Chilli willie syndrome!!)
HOME | INTRODUCTION | CHOOSING VARIETIES | THE GREENHOUSE | TEMPERATURE CONTROL | SOWING THE SEEDS | GROWING ON | FEEDING | PESTS AND DISEASES | HARVESTING | PRESERVING | ENJOYING | USEFUL SITES | RECIPES | PHOTO GALLERY |