Chili processing involves cleaning, drying, and grinding chili peppers into chili powder or chili flakes. The following are the general steps involved in chili processing:
The first step in chili processing is to clean the chili peppers. This is typically done using a machine called a destoner, which removes any stones, sand, or other impurities.
The cleaned chili peppers are then dried to reduce the moisture content. This is typically done using a drying machine, which uses hot air to evaporate the water. The dried chili peppers are then ready for grinding.
The dried chili peppers are then ground into chili powder or chili flakes. This is typically done using a machine such as a hammer mill or a pin mill. Grinding is important as it helps to break down the chili peppers and release their flavor.
The ground chili powder or flakes are then sieved to remove any large particles or lumps. This ensures that the powder or flakes are fine and smooth, which makes them easier to use.
Finally, the chili powder or flakes are packaged into small bags or sachets for distribution.
The machinery used in chili processing can vary depending on the specific process and the scale of production. A destoner may be used for cleaning, while a drying machine can be used for drying. Other equipment that may be used includes grinders or mills for grinding, and sieving machines for sieving the powder or flakes. Packaging machines can also be used for packaging the final product.