Stop Throwing Away Rotten Chillies Use This Simple Hack to Keep Them Fresh for Months:

We’ve all been there buying a big bag of fresh green chillies (or getting a handful for free from the vegetable vendor), only to find them soggy and rotten in the fridge a week later. It’s frustrating and a waste of perfectly good spice. But what if you could keep that fresh, sharp taste for months?

Whether you like to keep them whole or prefer a ready-to-use paste, here are two super simple hacks that actually work.

1. The 'Magic' Green Chilli Paste

If you want the flavour of fresh chillies without the hassle of chopping them every day, this is your best bet. It stays fresh for months and is a massive time-saver for busy mornings.

The Prep: Remove the stems (stalks) and wash the chillies thoroughly.

The Dry: This is the most important step—pat them completely dry with a clean cloth. Any moisture will ruin the paste.

The Blend: Throw them in a blender with a bit of salt and lemon juice (these act as natural preservatives).

The Storage: Pour the paste into a clean, dry glass jar.

The Secret Touch: Pour a few drops of oil on top. The oil creates a protective layer that prevents air from reaching the paste. Label it with the date and keep it in the fridge!

2. Keeping Them Whole (and Crunchy)

If you prefer using whole chillies in your tadka or salads, the way you store them in the fridge makes all the difference.

Step 1: Wash and dry the chillies (again, moisture is the enemy!).

Step 2: Take a dry plastic container and line it with a clean cotton cloth or a paper towel.

Step 3: Place the chillies inside, fold the cloth over them, and close the lid. The cloth absorbs any excess moisture, keeping the chillies crisp and fresh for weeks instead of days.

With these tiny changes to your kitchen routine, you’ll never have to toss out a rotten chilli again. Plus, your food will always have that kick of fresh spice whenever you need it!