Scotch Bonnet Storage Hacks

Enjoy scotch bonnet whenever you want with this effective and easy Scotch Bonnet Storage Hack!

If you love the right level of hot and spicy flavors in your food, then you will surely enjoy adding them to your meals. With this hack, you will never run out of them!

I especially suggest using these for dishes, soups, stews, and one-pot recipes. All of my African recipes taste 100% times better with these spices!

Today, you will learn how to keep them for a longer time. Every dish will taste absolutely tasty, rich, and flavorful with these scotch bonnets!

How to Store Scotch Bonnet

If your day is not complete without a dose of hot and spicy flavors, then here’s a guide to make them last forever or for as long as they last! 

I will show you how to store the scotch bonnet in four ways.

Ingredient

Scotch bonnets

Can you believe that a scotch bonnet is as spicy as habanero pepper and spicier than a jalapeño? According to Chili Pepper Madness, it has a whopping 100,000 – 350,000 SHU (Scoville Heat Units). And trust me, that is really spicy!

Its size can reach up to only two inches, and its color can vary from red to yellow. What makes it different from other spices is that it also carries a bit of sweetness, similar to apples and tomatoes.

I always use these for Leftover Fried Rice, Jollof Rice, and Moi Moi! To experience the heat of this pepper every day, check out these simple ways to store it! 

Directions

There are four different methods you can do to never run out of the scotch bonnet. 

Whole

Store fresh and whole bonnet in freezer bags and freeze for as long as possible. The frozen whole variant can be used for sauces, dishes, rice meals, and stir fry directly from the freezer. 

Paste

1. Pulse fresh ones in the blender.
2. Then, store in a glass jar.
3. Refrigerate and use within two weeks.

It is perfect for sauces or dips!

Frozen

1. Freeze the finely chopped or pulsed spices in ice cube trays.
2. Once frozen solid, remove the cubes from the mold.
3. Then, store them in a freezer bag.

Note that one cube is equal to one teaspoon. 

Dehydrated

1. Slice and shred them with a knife.
2. Place it on a grill mesh over an oven rack.
3. Then, spread them evenly.
4. Preheat the oven to 85°C or 185°F. 
5. Place the racks in the oven.
6. Dehydrate for three hours or until crispy.
7. Let it cool, and transfer the contents into a bowl.
8. Crush with a pestle until flaky.
9. Store in a glass jar and place in a cool and dry area.

You can store the dehydrated scotch bonnet for a year!

Tips

Buying scotch bonnet

• Buy scotch bonnets with fully and brightly colored skin.
• Colors can be red, peach, orange, chocolate brown, and yellow at maturity.
• It should also have a hat-like form with a stem attached.
• Don’t buy ones with soft spots, discoloration, or molds. 

How to Remove Spice from Hands

• You can try immersing your hands in cool milk.
• Alternatively, simply soak your hands in soapy water until the pain disappears.
• Furthermore, you can smear your hands with oil to dissolve the spiciness.
• If the pain is still strong, then use pain relievers for numbness.
• On the other hand, if the burning is bearable, you can just let it subside with time.
• Of course, use gloves to eliminate or minimize the spice in your hands. 

Scotch Bonnet Variations

Scotch bonnet is 101% vegan, gluten-free, and vegetarian. You can use other chili peppers as substitutes. Use habanero pepper if you want the same spiciness as this one. 

This guide also suggests that it can be converted into chili paste or powder. Discover which form works best for you by planning your meals!

Recommended Tools

• Blender: Pulse it using a blender. 
• Pestle: Crush the pepper into flakes. 
• Colander: Rinse the scotch bonnet with a colander. 
• Glass jars: Store the finished products in glass jars. 
• Ice cube tray: Freeze it in ice cube trays. 
• Freezer bag: Store in a freezer-safe bag and freeze.
• Knife: Slice it using a knife. 
• Grill mesh: Arrange the slices on a grill mesh to dry them out. 

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How to Use Scotch Bonnet

It is commonly used to intensify the flavors of sauces, rice meals, soups, salsa, curry, stir fry, marinades, dressings, and more! Remember to use it in moderation and with caution. 

Use your scotch bonnet by trying out these recipes:

• Turkey and Veggie Fried Rice
• Chicken Gizzard Stew
• Couscous
• Fish Stew
• Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

I especially suggest using these to make organic chili flakes. It can truly bring out the flavor in your favorite hot and spicy recipes!

Storage Tips

• At room temperature: Raw and whole chili pepper can be stored at room temperature for up to two weeks. The chopped scotch bonnet has a shorter shelf life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a scotch bonnet?

A scotch bonnet is a chili pepper commonly used in Caribbean dishes. It has a floral, spicy flavor and aroma that can instantly improve any dish!

What is hotter: scotch bonnet or habanero?

Habanero is slightly spicier than the spice in this blog post. Use which one best suits your taste!

Is scotch bonnet the hottest chili?

The hottest pepper is the Carolina Reaper, with 1,641,183 Scoville units! Scotch bonnet is spicy, too, but it has a subtle sweetness that makes it one of the most preferred chili peppers. 

Are scotch bonnet peppers hotter than jalapenos?

Yes, scotch bonnets are hotter than jalapeños! According to Forbes, it is a whopping 40 times hotter and spicier than jalapeños.

Is scotch bonnet hotter than Carolina Reaper?

The Carolina Reaper is the spiciest pepper in the world. It is said that it is 15 times hotter than the scotch bonnet!