Hello everyone!In China, we have tasted countless delicacies, and one of the spices has a unique taste that makes people want to stop, and that is fresh Sichuan peppercorns. The aroma of fresh peppercorns is rich and numb, and it is the finishing touch of many dishes. However, the shelf life of fresh peppercorns is relatively short, so how to keep fresh peppercorns fresh for a long time?Today, let's take a look at this question together.
First of all, we need to understand the characteristics of fresh peppercorns. The fruit of fresh pepper is round, and there are many small raised particles on the surface, which are the source of the "hemp" of pepper. The numbness of fresh peppercorns comes from the volatile oil in them, which is easy to volatilize at high temperatures, so fresh peppercorns should not be exposed to sunlight or heated for a long time. In addition, fresh peppercorns are also susceptible to moisture and insects, so pay attention to moisture and insect prevention when preserving.
So, how do you preserve fresh peppercorns so that they stay fresh all the time?Here are a few tips for you.
Tip 1: Keep it sealed. It is best to store fresh peppercorns in sealed jars or fresh-keeping bags, which can effectively isolate air and moisture and prolong the shelf life of fresh peppercorns. In the process of preservation, the state of Sichuan pepper should be checked regularly, and the situation of deterioration and insects should be dealt with in time.
Tip 2: Refrigerate. Storing fresh peppercorns in the refrigerator can effectively inhibit the volatilization rate of volatile oil in Zanthoxylum pepper and prolong the shelf life of fresh peppercorns. However, it should be noted that the refrigeration time should not be too long, generally 7-10 days is appropriate, otherwise the volatile oil in Sichuan pepper will gradually decrease, affecting the taste.
Tip 3: Store dry. Fresh peppercorns are dried and stored in sealed jars or plastic bags. This method can greatly extend the shelf life of fresh peppercorns, but care should be taken to avoid direct sunlight during the drying process, so as not to destroy the volatile oil in peppercorns.
Tip 4: Vacuum packaging. Now there are some special vacuum packaging machines on the market, which can vacuum pack fresh peppercorns, which can effectively isolate air and moisture and extend the shelf life of fresh peppercorns. However, vacuum-packed peppercorns need to be stored in a cool and ventilated place to avoid direct sunlight.
Tip 5: Combine with other ingredients and preserve. Fresh peppercorns are preserved with some moisture-proof and insect-proof ingredients, such as spices such as star anise and cinnamon, or desiccants such as tea and silica gel. This can not only maintain the taste of fresh peppercorns, but also prevent peppercorns from getting damp and insects.
Of course, the above methods are not a panacea, in order to keep fresh peppercorns fresh all the time, we also need to pay attention to the following points in the process of buying and eating:
1.When buying fresh peppercorns, choose peppercorns with full fruits, bright colors, and no pests and diseases.
2.After buying home, the fresh pepper should be washed and dried in time to avoid the deterioration and insects caused by the humid environment.
3.When eating fresh peppercorns, add them in an appropriate amount according to the needs of the dish to avoid waste.
4.When making dishes, you can add some other spices, such as chili pepper, ginger, etc., to increase the flavor of the dish and reduce the dependence on fresh peppercorns.
Through the above methods, I believe that we can keep the fresh taste of fresh peppercorns, so that we can continue to taste delicious food in the journey of China on the tip of our tongue.