- It’s originated from South America.
- It’s a kind of chili pepper that has a ton of varieties. ...
- The plant can grow to about 4 feet tall.
- Green varieties are less hot than red ones.
- Botanically, it’s a berry, not a vegetable.
- Asia is the largest cayenne producer.
- You can grow it in your own garden or as a house plant as well, no matter where you live.
Where did cayenne pepper originate?
cayenne pepper, ( Capsicum annuum ), small-fruited pepper in the nightshade family ( Solanaceae ), the source of a very pungent spice of the same name. The cayenne pepper is a cultivar of Capsicum annuum and is said to have originated in Cayenne, French Guiana.
Where does cayenne pepper come from?
What is similar to ground cayenne pepper?
- Red Pepper Flakes.
- Paprika.
- Chili Powder.
- Hot Sauce.
- Thai Peppers.
- Gochugaru.
- Serrano Peppers.
- Jalapeño Peppers.
What is the history of cayenne pepper?
Cayenne pepper, or red pepper, has a history spanning back over 9,000 years to the hot regions of South and Central America. It is called “cayenne” because these peppers were first found on a shrub in a town of that name in French Guiana on the coast of South America.
Is cayenne pepper the same thing as chilli powder?
What’s the main difference between cayenne pepper and chili powder? Well, first things first – cayenne pepper powder is technically a chili powder. It’s 100% chili powder actually, and that’s a whole lot more than what you typically get from a traditional bottle of chili powder.
Is cayenne pepper Mexican?
This staple of Mexican cuisine is native to South America and starts as small, thin, bright red pepper before being dried and ground down to cayenne pepper powder.
Who invented cayenne pepper?
It was cultivated in Mexico 7,000 years ago and in Peru 4,000 years ago. Native Americans have used cayenne as a food and as a medicine for stomach aches, cramping pains, gas , and disorders of the circulatory system for 9,000 years.
What continent is cayenne pepper native to?
Famously, peppers are native to the New World: Mexico or Central or South America, somewhere in that area is where they originated.
Is cayenne pepper Italian?
Cayenne is a variety of chillies very well known and used in Italian cuisine, originating from South America, the name was taken after the variety was exported from the capital of French Guyana, Cayenne.
Are peppers native to Asia?
The chilli pepper is famously present in Korean cuisine to the point of near ubiquity, and yet the plant is not native to Asia. It was the Europeans who brought the plant from its native Americas to the rest of the world.
Where did red pepper originated?
This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Bell peppers originated in Mexico, Central America, and South America. Peppers were named by Christopher Columbus and Spanish explorers who were searching for peppercorn plants to produce black pepper.
How did chile get to India?
Chili peppers spread to Asia through its introduction by Portuguese traders, who – aware of its trade value and resemblance to the spiciness of black pepper – promoted its commerce in the Asian spice trade routes. It was introduced in India by the Portuguese towards the end of the 15th century.
Where did pepper originate from?
IndiaPepper cultivation began thousands of years ago in India, where it was native, and it was soon introduced to the major islands of Indonesia by traders. Two species of pepper were domesticated: long pepper (Piper longum) in the northeast of India and black pepper (Piper nigrum) in the southwest.
How did chili get to Africa?
Originally from the Yucatán of Mexico, this extremely hot chili (H10) is one of the most important chilis in the Caribbean Islands and along the Caribbean coast of South America. Due to the slave trade they were taken to West Africa along with the nearly identical Scotch Bonnets.
What peppers are native to Italy?
In the English-speaking world, peperoncini are usually pickled, comparatively mild – most often the variety known in Italy as friggitelli, a fairly sweet cultivar of C....PeperoncinoPeperoncini for sale at a market of Tropea in Calabria, ItalyHeatHotScoville scale15,000–30,000 SHU
Which peppers are Italian?
Italian frying peppers are a type of Capsicum annum variably referred to as Cubanelle, Italianelles, or Sweet Italian Long peppers. Unlike many unripe peppers which are bitter in flavor, Italian frying peppers are sweet at every stage from green to yellow to red.
What is cayenne pepper called in India?
Indian chilli powder is not exactly the same thing as cayenne pepper, but you can freely substitute one for the other — the former you can find at any Indian grocer, it is usually redder in color and hotter than cayenne powder; the latter you can easily find in any grocery store, even small corner stores, and it does ...
What is a cayenne pepper?
Capsicum frutescens. The cayenne pepper is a type of Capsicum annuum. It is usually a moderately hot chili pepper used to flavor dishes. Cayenne peppers are a group of tapering, 10 to 25 cm long, generally skinny, mostly red-colored peppers, often with a curved tip and somewhat rippled skin, which hang from the bush as opposed to growing upright.
What does the name Cayenne mean?
Etymology. The word 'cayenne' is thought to be a corruption of the word kyynha, meaning "capsicum" in the Old Tupi language once spoken in Brazil. It is probable that the town Cayenne in French Guiana is related to the name, and the town may have been named for the pepper. Nicholas Culpeper used the phrase "cayenne pepper" in 1652, ...
What is the name of the pepper that is a capsicum?
^ The name Guinea pepper often means Aframomum melegueta or Piper guineense at present, but in Britain in the 16th and 17th century "Guinea pepper" or "ginny pepper" was the common name for Capsicum peppers in general.
What is the name of the river in the city of Cayenne?
Nicholas Culpeper used the phrase "cayenne pepper" in 1652, and the city was only renamed as such in 1777. It also is possibly named for the Cayenne River.
What is cayenne powder used for?
Cayenne powder may be a blend of different types of chili peppers. It is used in its fresh form, or as dried powder on seafood, all types of egg dishes (devilled eggs, omelettes, soufflés), meats and stews, casseroles, cheese dishes, hot sauces, and curries.
Is cayenne pepper a frutescens?
Cayenne peppers are often said to belong to the frutescens variety, but frutescens peppers are now defined as peppers which have fruit which grow upright on the bush (such as tabasco peppers ), thus what is known in English as cayenne peppers are by definition not frutescens.
What is the genus of pepper?
Learn More in these related Britannica articles: pepper. Pepper, (genus Capsicum ), genus of more than 30 species of flowering plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), several of which are extensively cultivated for their edible, often pungent fruits.
What is the name of the pepper that is pungent?
Cayenne pepper, (Capsicum annuum), small-fruited pepper in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), the source of a very pungent spice of the same name. The cayenne pepper is a cultivar of Capsicum annuum and is said to have originated in Cayenne, French Guiana. The spice is produced by drying and
How many species of peppers are there?
Solanaceae. Solanaceae, the nightshade, or potato, family of flowering plants (order Solanales), with 102 genera and nearly 2,500 species, many of considerable economic importance as food and drug plants.
How is orange spice made?
The spice is produced by drying and grinding the orange to deep-red fruits and derives its piquant flavour from the chemical capsaicin. This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello, Assistant Editor.
Where does the name Cayenne pepper come from?
Cayenne pepper actually gets its name from its place of origin – that being the cayenne region of French Guiana, in Cayenne. It derives from a Tupi Indian name. Today though, it is grown predominantly in India, Mexico, the US, and East Africa.
What is cayenne pepper used for?
Today, cayenne pepper is extremely popular owing to its spiciness and its use in a variety of recipes. Cayenne is generally used to add spice and ‘kick’ to a dish, with common examples being the likes of chillies and chutneys. It is a common staple in Mexican cookbooks. It’s also fairly commonly used in Spanish cooking, and if you like serving smaller foods in a ramekin and souffle dish, then it may be one to keep to hand. Likewise, if you like cooking pasta, or using a pizza oven.
Does cayenne pepper help you lose weight?
Cayenne pepper is additionally known for its many health benefits! Cayenne pepper is actually particularly well known for its ability to raise the metabolism, thereby making it a useful tool for increasing caloric expenditure. In plain English, that means that it can help you to lose weight!
Where does cayenne pepper come from?
People often ask, “Where does Cayenne Pepper come from?” Cayenne Pepper comes from New Mexico along with parts of Louisiana are the epicenters of chili farming in the United States. Most chilis require an optimal growing temperature of 24 degrees C. (93 F.) with a tolerable temperature range of 32 C. (103 F.) and 15 C. (59 F.). Humidity is a must. Three to five months is the average growing time for most chilis before harvest. There are over 1,700 different varieties of both wild and cultivated peppers known.
What is the bite in cayenne pepper?
The “bite” in cayenne is from a compound called “capsaicin”, with the family of related compounds called “capsaicinoids” found in hot peppers throughout the world. Chemists call capsaicin “8 methyl N vanillyl 6 nonenamide”. Capsaicin has a chemical structure very similar to the active ingredient in ginger, both of which have a pungent “bite” and many therapeutic values.
Which country grows the most chilies?
Hungary uses twice as much acreage to grow paprika chilis as tomato plants, producing over 62,000 tons per year. India produces over 800,000 tons of chilis annually and consumes 95% of it right there at home. The chili growing nations of India, Hungary, China, Pakistan, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Thailand, and Japan produce over 4 million tons per year. Mexico cultivates the widest assortment of chilis in its 53,000 tons per year, with only a small percentage being the bland bell pepper and nearly all of that going to the United States.
Is cayenne a healing fruit?
You are going to be amazed at the healing properties of cayenne. Therefore, we need to peer inside of this humble little fruit in order to better understand how it may help an alphabet soup of health problems. Bear with me for a minute.
Is chili pepper low in fat?
The health of Americans is suffering from too much fat and the wrong kind of fat. Chili peppers are both low in fat and contain the right kind of fat: 66% of the fat as linoleic and 5% as linolenic acid, the two essential fats in the diet of humans.
When were peppers first discovered?
In South America, peppers recovered at the archaeological site of Huaca Prieta have been dated at 2500 BC, these specimens being larger than the wild peppers and therefore presumably cultivated (Ibid).
How does Cayenne pepper help with bleeding?
As related above, Cayenne works powerfully to arrest bleeding. You can place Cayenne powder or tincture directly upon an open wound, even one that is gushing blood, and by the count of ten, the bleeding will cease. If there is internal hemorrhaging, in the lungs, stomach, uterus or nose, have the person take a teaspoonful of Cayenne in a glass of quite warm water; the blood pressure will be equalized, taking the pressure off from the affected part, clotting will begin, and the hemorrhage will stop. For hemorrhage of the lungs, a vapor bath with warm Cayenne can do the same thing. In an external wound, even if the cut is so deep it goes to the bone you may fill it with Cayenne pepper and the bleeding will stop and the wound will heal beautifully. A woman fell while descending stairs to the basement and struck her head on the overhang above the staircase. She fell on her elbow and hip as well, but she had hit her eye so: badly that it was oozing blood down her face. She found her way upstairs, and “dumped a pile of Cayenne into her hand and pressed it against her wounded eye” (Herbalist:March, 1978:30). She also took Cayenne internally and applied an ice pack. By this time the bleeding had stopped, and she applied Dr. Christopher's Comfrey Poultice, made with wheat-germ oil and honey, to her eye wound and other facial wounds. When she went to the doctor, he cleaned out the wound and told her that she would bruise very badly and that, if she wished, he would re-cut the wound and stitch it, as she had passed the eight-hour limit for stitches.
What did the Peruvian Indians eat?
Later, scholars sent from Spain to the New World, notably to Mexico and Central America, chronicle the extensive use of chili peppers in the diet of the Indians. Next to maize, a certain Cobo wrote, it was the foremost plant in the land; and a Garcilaso said that the Peruvian Indians valued chilies more than any other plant, never cooking a dish without them. The Jesuit Acosta noted that it was an item of considerable value for trade in areas where chili did not grow, that it “comforted the stomach” when taken in moderation, and that some of the Indians made offerings of peppers to their gods (Ibid.).
How does cayenne herb help blood pressure?
One of the most important uses of (Cayenne is as a circulatory stimulant, an herb that feeds the necessary elements into the cell structure of the arteries, veins, and capillaries so that they, regain youthful elasticity and so that the blood pressure reduces itself to normal. When the venous structure becomes loaded with sticky mucus, the blood cannot circulate freely, so higher pressure is needed to force the blood through. Cayenne equalizes the blood pressure, influencing the heart immediately, and then extending its effects to the venous structure (SNH:407). It also works to cut the mucus in the venous system, and indeed in all the systems throughout the body.
Why did the South American warriors burn peppers?
According to sixteenth century historians, South American warriors would burn peppers to use the smoke against the invading Spanish (Ibid.). Interestingly, during the Vietnam war, Buddhist monks armed themselves with spray guns filled with a mixture of lemon juice, curry powder, and Cayenne.
Where did the healing chili come from?
A History of the Healing Chili. A History of the Healing Chili. The Capsicums are ancient natives of the New World, the oldest known specimens coming from Mexico. From seeds found on the floors of caves that were ancient human dwellings and from ancient fossil feces, scientists have found the people were eating peppers as early as 7000 BC.
Who introduced capsicum to Europe?
Capsicum was introduced to Europe by the historian who accompanied Columbus to the New World, Peter Martyr. He reported the use of these pungent peppers, and the ships physician, Dr. Chatica, reported their use as a condiment and as a medicine, an irony considering that Columbus was seeking the spices of the Far East (Heiser, op.. cit.)
Where does the name Cayenne pepper come from?
Some say that cayenne comes from the Tupi language – an Indian tribe in South America; that the name cayenne is derived from the word kian. However, there are those who say that the term cayenne comes from the French Guiana which capital is called Cayenne. There is also a river named Cayenne in this territory.
What is cayenne pepper used for?
Another very common medicinal use of cayenne pepper is to fight inflammation and pain. Capsaicin, a substance found in all chili peppers, is responsible for inhibiting substances in the human body which promote inflammation. The more capsaicin a type of chili pepper contains, the more effective it will be in fighting inflammation. Capsaicin has also been shown effective against pain when applied topically. Arthritis, psoriasis, and cluster headaches are some conditions which may benefit from this. A note of caution is required though. The application of any chili pepper should be done with great care. If the chili pepper gets into the eyes or other sensitive areas, the pain would be almost unbearable. Thus, after handling chili pepper with your bare hands, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly.
What are the different types of cayenne peppers?
Some of the most recommended ones are: Charleston Hot, Hot Portugal, Large Red Thick, Long Red Slim, Ring of Fire, and Super Cayenne. The last variety is a hybrid and has quite small pods. Uses for Cayennne Pepper.
How hot is cayenne pepper?
Though prone to human subjectivity, the Scoville Scale is still widely used to determine and advertise the hotness of chili peppers. Cayenne pepper can measure in at anywhere from 40, 000 to 90, 000 Scoville Units . Not the hottest but definitely hot!
What Is Cayenne Pepper?
Dried, ground cayenne pepper starts out as long, fresh red chilies ( Capsicum annuum ). They originated in South America. Mature cayenne peppers are about 2 to 5 inches long and typically harvested red, when they are hottest, then they are dried and finely ground.
What Does Cayenne Taste Like?
Cayenne doesn’t have a smoky or earthy a flavor as some other dried chiles do. Mostly, it’s hot and a little fruity, and that’s about it. This is an asset, not a drawback. Cayenne may be a power player in heat, but it works nicely with other flavors.
Fresh vs Dried Cayenne
Fresh cayenne peppers have thin walls, which makes them not well-suited to shipping. But this characteristic makes them excellent for drying, and that’s why the cayenne you encounter in stores is almost always dried and ground.
How to Cook with Cayenne
A strategic dash of ground cayenne enlivens many dishes. It’s been popular in American cookery for years. Grab a pinch of cayenne when you want an underlying thread of heat in something rich, like macaroni and cheese from scratch. Or use a lot for a blast of straightforward heat, as in our Nashville hot chicken.
Where to Buy Cayenne Pepper
Since it’s a spice rack standard, you can get ground cayenne pepper at nearly any supermarket. Just look in the spice aisle. For freshness, buy it from a purveyor that sells it in bulk or has a good turnover. Shopping online? We’re always fans of The Spice House .
Cayenne Pepper Substitutes
For recipes where you’re only using a pinch or a small fraction of a teaspoon, a few dashes of red pepper sauce (such as Tabasco) is a fine substitute for ground cayenne. You can also use dried red pepper flakes, which are coarser and can be milder.
How to Make Your Own Cayenne Pepper
The best way to make your own cayenne pepper is to grow your own cayenne peppers. They’ll thrive in a garden in a hot climate or in warm summer seasons. You can also grow them in containers. After harvesting the ripe red peppers, dry them in a dehydrator or oven, or hang them to air-dry (the latter works best in a dry climate).
Overview
The cayenne pepper is a type of Capsicum annuum. It is usually a moderately hot chili pepper used to flavor dishes. Cayenne peppers are a group of tapering, 10 to 25 cm long, generally skinny, mostly red-colored peppers, often with a curved tip and somewhat rippled skin, which hang from the bush as opposed to growing upright. Most varieties are generally rated at 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville …
Etymology
The word 'cayenne' is thought to be a corruption of the word kyynha, meaning "capsicum" in the Old Tupi language once spoken in Brazil. It is probable that the town Cayenne in French Guiana is related to the name, and the town may have been named for the pepper. Nicholas Culpeper used the phrase "cayenne pepper" in 1652, and the city was only renamed as such in 1777. It also is possibly named for the Cayenne River.
Taxonomy
The cayenne pepper is a type of Capsicum annuum, as are bell peppers, jalapeños, pimientos, and many others. The genus Capsicum is in the nightshade family, (Solanaceae). Cayenne peppers are often said to belong to the frutescens variety, but frutescens peppers are now defined as peppers which have fruit which grow upright on the bush (such as tabasco peppers), thus what is known in English as cayenne peppers are by definition not frutescens.
Varieties
Cayenne peppers are long, tapering, 10 to 25 centimetres (4 to 10 in) long, generally skinny, mostly red colored peppers, often with a curved tip and somewhat rippled skin, which hang from the bush as opposed to growing upright.
There are many specific cultivars, such as 'Cow-horn', 'Cayenne Sweet', 'Cayenne Buist's Yellow', 'Golden Cayenne', 'Cayenne Carolina', 'Cayenne Indonesian', 'Joe's Long', 'Cayenne Large Red Thic…
In cuisine
Cayenne powder may be a blend of different types of chili peppers. It is used in its fresh form, or as dried powder on seafood, all types of egg dishes (devilled eggs, omelettes, soufflés), meats and stews, casseroles, cheese dishes, hot sauces, and curries. In North America, the primary cultivar in Crushed Red Pepper is Cayenne. They are also used in some varieties of hot sauce in North America…
See also
• Chili powder
• List of Capsicum cultivars
• Sialagogue
Further reading
• Nutrient Data Laboratory; et al. "99369: Peppers, cayenne, raw (Capsicum annuum)" (PDF). USDA Database for the Flavonoid Content of Selected Foods (2.1 ed.). p. 68 (PDF p. 3). Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 August 2008. Retrieved 13 July 2011.