Winnie, They are going to be relatively brittle and you will not feel or see any dampness in the least, even should they have been Earlier frozen. I make the cuts parallel for the axis on the pepper because it helps make the finalized dry pepper seem intact and whole. https://trentonmfgho.techionblog.com/31016409/helping-the-others-realize-the-advantages-of-red-chili-pepper-crushed-mixed-with-seeds