Cayenne Pepper – What Is It?
What Is Cayenne Pepper?
Natural Life Energy
Some people may ask, “What is cayenne pepper?” because it is more commonly known as a chili pepper.
Cayenne pepper botanically belongs to capsicum annuum group of plants.
The common name “cayenne” was actually given to this pepper because of its cultivation in a town named Cayenne in French Guiana on the northeast coast of South America.
Cayenne pepper is a hot chili pepper and gets its hotness from its capsicum compound, and is green when it is still on the plant even when they mature.
Once cayenne peppers are picked from the plant, this is when they may are may not turn red. The peppers are eaten when they are red as well as when they are green.
In the marketplace we are accustomed to buying whole red cayenne peppers or powder.
Cayenne pepper is a very hot pepper and rates between 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville units, which is a method of rating the hotness of foods. In comparison, pimentos rate between 100 to 900 Scoville units.
The plant grows between two and four feet high and likes warm nutrient rich soil. It is a perennial in tropical and sub-tropical climates but is an annual when grown in colder climates.
Cayenne pepper like bell peppers, jalapeños, and paprika are members of the the capsicum genus in the nightshade family. The nightshade family is of particular importance to some people.
Nightshades contain a compound called “solanine” that causes a inflammatory reaction in certain people. Other than peppers other nightshades include white potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant.
Cayenne Pepper Benefits And Nutrition
Though cayenne pepper is eaten mostly for its hotness derived from its capsicum compound, it also contains other nutrients and is loaded with benefits. Find out more about cayenne peppers benefits and nutrients.
Tags: All About Cayenne-Pepper, Cayenne Spice, What Is Cayenne-Pepper Powder, What Is Cayenne-Pepper Diet
References:
Growing Cayenne
Capsaicin – NCBI
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