Capsicum annuum
Origin: French Guiana, South America
Color/s: Red
Scoville Heat Units (SHU): (hot) 30,000-50,000
Size: 2–3 inches
Shape: Long and thin with a sharp point
Other Interesting Facts:
- The Cayenne pepper gets its name from the Tupi Indians of the Cayenne district of French Guiana, from whence the Portuguese transported it to Asia around 1500AD.
- It is the most widely used chili in Indian and Indonesian and Chinese (Sichuan) cooking
- It is often used in its ground form, when the fruits have dried.
- The powdered spice Cayenne pepper that you buy in the stores is the sifted version
- Sauces that contain cayenne peppers are often vinegar based
- Cayenne peppers are rich in vitamin A. They also contain vitamin B6, vitamin E, vitamin C, riboflavin, potassium and manganese
- Cayenne peppers are used as herbal supplements, sold in capsules to with the claimed health benefit of increased blood circulation