Chopped chilies spread on large flat baskets were hung upside to dry under sunshine. (Photo/ chinapic.people.com.cn)
Huangling is one of ancient villages in Wuyuan country of Jiangxi province. It has great landscape.
Sun
drying work is very popular here, because in south China foods need to
be dried in order to be preserved longer. When autumn falls, drying red
chilies or other produces becomes beautiful scenery in Huangling.
Zhan
Yuejuan, 64, is a local resident in Huangling, who is an expert with
sun-drying work. Let her show you how to harvest, handle and dry these
red hot chilies.
First step: Harvest Autumn
is harvest season; it is also chilies season. Chilies on the plants
have matured and turned red. Zhan said now it is best time to pick
chilies and hang them to dry.
Second step: Cleaning Picked chilies always wear dirt, so cleaning them is also important before drying.
Third Step: Choose the best and take off head Moldy, soft or black spots on the chilies are not qualified. Zhan only chooses firm and fresh chilies and takes their pods off.
Fourth step: Chopping Small
chilies can be made into ristras; but large chilies need be chopped
into small pieces, and then they are spread on large and flat baskets to
dry.
Fifth step: Sun drying Either ristas
of small chilies or chopped chilies need to be hung in well-ventilated
place. And they need to be turned very often so they dry evenly. In
rainy days, Zhan and other workers must take them back inside
immediately.
Zhan Yuejuan, 64, is a local
sun-drying worker in Huangling, Wuyuan Country of east China’s Jiangxi
Province. (Photo/ chinapic.people.com.cn)
Zhan Yuejuan is on the way to work. (Photo/ chinapic.people.com.cn)
