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