Cracking skin on chillis?

[Naga]

Just checked on my chillis and noticed that some are looking like they may start to split open, they cracks are either a whiteish colour or black, the fruit is still very firm though.

[shirlthegirl43]

Is it what they term 'corking'?

[Flummery]

Mine have done this in the past - I think it's when they get hot (weather not scoville!). Panic not. They eat well and store well - what more can you ask of a chilli?

[SarzWix]

Yep, as Shirley says, that is called 'corking' and is a desirable trait to most chilli growers. It's more common in some varieties than others.

[gadgetman]

Common on Jalapeños. Last year they cracked, then had a purplish colour which is when I picked them.

[Rabidbun]

Judging by the heat of this year's Jals (all of which have done this this year) I'd guess it affects the heat? Burned my eye sockets out when I used several in a pasta sauce thinking they'd be the same heat as last year's batch! (I am a wuss for chilli heat and the hot ones really don't like me! )

[Flummery]

Hence the expression - "That was a corking chilli old girl!"

[SarzWix]

Judging by the heat of this year's Jals (all of which have done this this year) I'd guess it affects the heat? Burned my eye sockets out when I used several in a pasta sauce thinking they'd be the same heat as last year's batch! (I am a wuss for chilli heat and the hot ones really don't like me! )

Oooops Never assume that chillis of the same variety will necssarily be the same heat - even 2 chillis off the same plant can have completely different heat levels

[Rabidbun]

Oooops Never assume that chillis of the same variety will necssarily be the same heat - even 2 chillis off the same plant can have completely different heat levels

And I have the memory of my poor blistering tongue to remind me too!

I still remember last year with the Pimientos de Padron that I dilligently grew, allowed to ripen, charred and marinaded carefully in olive oil. It was a blisteringly painful experience till I did some random internet page research and found out apparently that the "One in ten will be scorching hot" roulette thing didn't work unless the chillies had been harvested early and green.

[Naga]

I didn't realise that corking Jalapeno's are rather sort after in Mexico, apparently the more corking happens the hotter the Jal.

[cupcake]

Hence the expression - "That was a corking chilli old girl!"

LOL! My Fresno were corked last year, lovely!