Growing the world’s hottest pepper is a true test of a gardener’s patience and passion. Knowing exactly when are carolina reapers ready to pick is the final, fiery reward for all your hard work. Picking them at the perfect moment ensures you get the legendary heat and the complex, fruity flavor these peppers are famous for. Get it wrong, and you might be disappointed. This guide will walk you through every sign of ripeness, so you can harvest your Reapers with confidence.
When Are Carolina Reapers Ready To Pick
The journey from a tiny green pod to a ripe, wrinkled Reaper takes time. Typically, from the point of flowering, you’re looking at 90 to 120 days for full maturity. But days on a calendar are just a starting point. Your peppers will give you clear physical signals when they are truly ripe for the picking.
The Primary Signs of a Ripe Carolina Reaper
Your first and most reliable indicator is color. A Carolina Reaper undergoes a dramatic transformation.
– Start Green: All peppers begin green. At this stage, they are immature and lack their full heat and sweetness.
– Color Transition: You’ll see streaks of orange or red start to appear. This process can take a week or two.
– Final Hue: A fully ripe Carolina Reaper is a vibrant, glossy red. Some may have a slight orange or crimson tint, but deep red is the goal. There should be no green left on the pod.
The second major sign is texture. The skin of a ripe Reaper becomes distinctly bumpy and wrinkled. It develops a characteristic “lumpy” appearance with a stinger-like tail. The skin may also look slightly waxy or glossy under the light.
Secondary Checks for Ripeness
After you note the color and texture, use these additional tests.
– The Firmness Test: Gently squeeze the pepper. A ripe Reaper should feel firm but not rock-hard. It may have a very slight give, similar to a ripe bell pepper. If it feels soft or mushy, it might be overripe or starting to rot.
– The Shine: Look for a healthy, slight gloss on the skin. A dull, matte appearance can sometimes indicate it’s past its prime.
– Ease of Pick: A truly ripe pepper will detach from the stem with a clean, easy snap. If you have to tug or twist hard, it likely needs more time on the plant.
What About the Stems?
Pay attention to the stem connecting the pepper to the plant. As the pepper matures, this stem will often change color. It frequently turns from green to a brownish or woody tan. This is another good clue that the pepper has finished drawing energy from the plant and is ready.
The Ripening Timeline and Plant Care
Peppers ripen fastest during warm, sunny weather. Cloudy, cool periods will slow the process down. Be patient. It’s better to wait a few extra days for that perfect red color than to pick early.
Keep caring for your plant during this critical phase. Consistent watering (avoiding wet leaves) and a light feeding schedule will support the plant as it puts its final energy into the fruit. Stress, like from under-watering, can sometimes cause peppers to ripen prematurely, but it’s not ideal for flavor development.
A Step-by-Step Harvesting Guide
When your Reapers meet all the ripe criteria, it’s time to harvest. Doing it correctly protects the plant and the pepper.
1. Choose the Right Tool: Use a pair of clean, sharp garden scissors or pruning shears. Do not just pull the peppers off by hand, as you can damage the branch.
2. Locate the Stem: Find the small stem (the peduncle) that connects the pepper to the main branch of the plant.
3. Make the Cut: Snip through this stem, leaving about a half-inch of it attached to the pepper. This little “handle” helps prevent the top of the pepper from tearing and inviting decay.
4. Handle with Care: Remember, the oils are extremely potent. Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, after handling the peppers. Consider wearing disposable gloves.
What to Do With Green Peppers at Season’s End
If frost is threatening and you still have green Reapers on the plant, you have options. You can harvest the largest, most developed green peppers—they are still very hot and can be used in cooking, like in hot sauces or salsas, though they’ll taste different. Alternatively, you can pull the entire plant and hang it upside-down in a warm, dry place; some peppers may continue to ripen.
Post-Harvest Handling and Storage
Congratulations on your harvest! Now, you need to process them safely.
– Washing: Gently rinse the peppers in cool water and pat them completely dry. Any moisture left on them can lead to mold during storage.
– Immediate Use: You can use them fresh right away. Just be extreamly cautious when cutting them open. Work in a well-ventilated area and consider wearing gloves and even eye protection.
– Drying: This is a popular method for long-term storage. You can use a food dehydrator on a low setting (95-115°F) until they are brittle, which can take 12-24 hours. You can also air-dry them in a warm, well-ventilated spot, but this takes much longer.
– Freezing: For simplicity, place whole, dry Reapers in a freezer bag. They will keep for over a year. You can chop them frozen later when needed.
– Making Preserves: Turning your harvest into hot sauce, pepper flakes, or powder is a fantastic way to enjoy them for months.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
Sometimes, things don’t go perfectly. Here’s what to watch for.
– Sunscald: If a pepper develops a pale, soft, sunken spot on the side facing the sun, it’s sunscald. It’s caused by to much direct sun exposure, often after leaf loss. The affected area won’t ripen properly. You can still harvest and use the rest of the pepper.
– Cracks or Splits: Rapid growth from irregular watering can cause the skin to crack. These are still edible but should be used quickly as the cracks can harbor bacteria.
– The “They’re Not Wrinkled” Worry: While most Reapers are very bumpy, some phenotypes may be slightly smoother. Always trust the color as your primary guide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can you pick Carolina Reapers when they are green?
A: Yes, you can, but they will be significantly less sweet and their heat profile will be different, often more harsh. The unique fruity flavor develops during the final ripening to red.
Q: How long does it take for a Reaper to turn red after it starts?
A: Once you see the first color change from green, it usually takes 7 to 14 days for the pepper to become completely red, depending on temperature and sunlight.
Q: Will picked peppers continue to ripen off the plant?
A: Peppers, unlike tomatoes, do not truly “ripen” off the plant. They may change color slightly, but they will not develop the same level of sugars or complex flavors. It’s always best to let them ripen fully on the plant for the best taste.
Q: What if my pepper is mostly red but the tail is still green?
A: Give it a little more time. The entire pod, including the characteristic stinger tail, should ideally be a uniform color. The tail often is the last part to change.
Q: Is there a best time of day to harvest hot peppers?
A: It’s generally recommended to harvest in the morning after the dew has dried but before the afternoon heat. The peppers are firm and their oils are most stable at this time.
Q: How do I safely handle such hot peppers?
A: Always wear gloves when handling, especially when cutting. Wash your hands, tools, and cutting surfaces thoroughly with soap and water after. Avoid touching any mucous membranes for several hours, even after washing.
Knowing when are carolina reapers ready to pick transforms a guessing game into a simple checklist. By focusing on that final, deep red color, the signature bumpy texture, and a firm feel, you’ll harvest each pepper at its peak. The patience required is well worth the reward of experiencing the world-record heat and surprising fruity undertones of a perfectly ripe Carolina Reaper grown by your own hands. With proper harvesting and storage techniques, you can enjoy the fruits of your labor long after the growing season ends.