This week's tips from Hazon - Apple and Chili Peppers

Apple:
There are over 7000 varieties of apples. Each apple seed will grow into a unique tree that will often produce undesirable fruit. Therefore, the apples that we know today have been selected and grafted to be deliciously tasty fruit.

Storage Tips
- Most apples will stay fresh for up to three months when stored in a perforated plastic bag or paper bag in the refrigerator; otherwise apples taste better when kept at room temperature
- Do not wash apples until you are ready to eat them
-Browning near the core of an apple indicates that the fruit has been stored at too low temperatures.
-Apples, once cut, can be kept from browning by dipping the slices in citrus juice and water, or simply squeezing some lemon juice over them.

Hot chili pepper:
Peppers belong to the same family as tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, and tomatillo. The substance that is responsible for giving the pepper its spice is called capsaicin and it is soluble in milk and alcohol, not water. So next time you want to extinguish that fire in your mouth, reach for a glass of milk instead of water.

Storage Tips
-Store hot peppers in a cool dry place for 1 to 2 weeks.
-To freeze, wash and dry, cut into chunks, and place in freezer bags in the freezer.
-To dry hot papers, cut into ½ inch slices and gently heat in an over at 175-200 degrees for 2 to 3 hours. Store in a well ventilated place.