Cayenne pepper

Cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper

A large red cayenne
Heat Hot
Scoville rating 30,000 – 50,000

The cayenne pepper—also known as the Guinea spice,[1] cow-horn pepper, aleva, bird pepper,[2] or, especially in its powdered form, red pepper—is a red, hot chili pepper used to flavor dishes and for medicinal purposes. Named for the city of Cayenne in French Guiana, it is a cultivar of Capsicum annuum related to bell peppers, jalapeños, and others. The Capsicum genus is in the nightshade family (Solanaceae).

The fruits are generally dried and ground, or pulped and baked into cakes, which are then ground and sifted to make the powdered spice of the same name.

Cayenne is used in cooking spicy dishes, as a powder or in its whole form (such as in Sichuan cuisine), or in a thin, vinegar-based sauce. It is generally rated at 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville units. It is also used as an herbal supplement, and was mentioned by Nicholas Culpeper in his 17th century book Complete Herbal.[1]

Contents

Cultivation

Most cultivated varieties of cayenne, Capsicum annuum, can be grown in a variety of locations and need approximately 100 days to mature. Peppers prefer warm, moist, nutrient-rich soil in a warm climate. The plants grow to about 2–4 feet (0.6–1 metre) of height and should be spaced 3 ft (1 m) apart.[3]

Chilis are mostly perennial in sub-tropical and tropical regions; however, they are usually grown as annuals in temperate climates. They can be overwintered if protected from frost, and require some pruning.[4]

Nutrition

Cayenne pepper is high in vitamin A. It also contains vitamin B6, vitamin E, vitamin C, riboflavin, potassium and manganese.[5] Cayenne pepper is also known as a male aphrodisiac because it contains capsaicin which can increase blood flow to all parts of the human body. It is known in many cultures to be a potent libido enhancing aid that increases euphoric endorphins in the blood stream. [2]

In cuisine

Cayenne peppers used during the marination of chicken

Cayenne is a popular spice in a variety of cuisines. It is employed variously in its fresh form, dried and powdered, and as dried flakes. It is also a key ingredient in a variety of hot sauces, particularly those employing vinegar as a preservative.Cayenne pepper is often spread on sandwiches or similar items to add a spicy flavor. Buffalo-wing sauce contains Cayenne pepper.

In beverages

Recently, beverage products are emerging with cayenne-pepper extract, capsaicin, as an active ingredient.[6][7]

See also

References and notes

  1. ^ a b Culpeper, Nicholas (1814) [1653]. "Guinea Pepper". Culpeper′s Complete Herbal. David Hand (Web publication). http://www.complete-herbal.com/culpepper/guineapepper.htm. Retrieved 2011-07-13. 
  2. ^ a b Therapeutic Research Faculty (2009). "Capiscum". Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (Consumer Version). WebMD. http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-945-Cayenne%20Pepper%20%28CAPSICUM%29.aspx?activeIngredientId=945&activeIngredientName=Cayenne%20Pepper%20%28CAPSICUM%29. Retrieved 2011-07-13. 
  3. ^ Brown, Ellen (April 27, 2006). "Growing: Cayenne". ThriftyFun.com. http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73134236.tip.html. Retrieved 2011-07-13. 
  4. ^ South Devon Chilli Farm (2010). "Chilli Seed Propagation and Plant Care". South Devon Chilli Farm. http://www.southdevonchillifarm.co.uk/info/growing-chillies. Retrieved 2011-07-13. 
  5. ^ "Nutrition Facts: Spices, pepper, red or cayenne". Nutrition Data. Condé Nast Digital. 2011. http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/spices-and-herbs/201/2. Retrieved 2011-07-13. 
  6. ^ Latif, Ray (May 30, 2011). "Extreme and Edgy Flavors". Beverage Spectrum Magazine (Bevnet). http://www.bevnet.com/news/headlines/2011/extreme-and-edgy-flavors/. Retrieved 2011-07-13. 
  7. ^ Stanton Lee, Kendra (March 2011). "Slimming Prospects". Beverage Spectrum Magazine (Bevnet). http://www.bevnet.com/news/headlines/2011/slimming-prospects/. Retrieved 2011-07-13. 

Further reading

External links


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  • Cayenne pepper — Pepper Pep per, n. [OE. peper, AS. pipor, L. piper, fr. Gr. ?, ?, akin to Skr. pippala, pippali.] 1. A well known, pungently aromatic condiment, the dried berry, either whole or powdered, of the {Piper nigrum}. [1913 Webster] Note: Common, or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cayenne pepper — Cayenne Cay*enne, n. [From Cayenne, a town and island in French Guiana, South America.] Cayenne pepper. [1913 Webster] {Cayenne pepper}. (a) (Bot.) A species of {Capsicum} ({Capsicum frutescens}) with small and intensely pungent fruit. (b) A very …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cayenne (pepper) — [kī en′, kāen′] n. 〚< Tupí kynnha; pop. assoc. with CAYENNE〛 1. a very hot, reddish condiment made from various capsicums 2. a long, conical hot pepper often used to make this condiment 3. the plant (Capsicum frutescens var. longum) on wh …   Universalium

  • cayenne (pepper) — [kī en′, kāen′] n. [< Tupí kynnha; pop. assoc. with CAYENNE] 1. a very hot, reddish condiment made from various capsicums 2. a long, conical hot pepper often used to make this condiment 3. the plant (Capsicum frutescens var. longum) on which… …   English World dictionary

  • cayenne (pepper) — [kī en′, kāen′] n. [< Tupí kynnha; pop. assoc. with CAYENNE] 1. a very hot, reddish condiment made from various capsicums 2. a long, conical hot pepper often used to make this condiment 3. the plant (Capsicum frutescens var. longum) on which… …   English World dictionary

  • Cayenne pepper — vienametė paprika statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Bulvinių šeimos daržovinis, dekoratyvinis, prieskoninis, vaistinis kultūrinis augalas (Capsicum annuum). Iš jo gaminami maisto priedai (dažikliai, kvėpikliai). atitikmenys: lot. Capsicum… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • cayenne pepper — [[t]kaɪe̱n pe̱pə(r)[/t]] N UNCOUNT Cayenne pepper or cayenne is a red powder with a hot taste which is made from dried peppers and is used to flavour food. Season with salt, pepper and a pinch of cayenne …   English dictionary

  • cayenne pepper — cay|enne pep|per [ˌkeıen ˈpepə US ər] n [U] [Date: 1700 1800; Origin: cayan cayenne pepper (1700 1800), from Tupi kyinha; influenced by Cayenne city in French Guiana] the red powder made from a ↑pepper that has a very hot taste …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • cayenne pepper — noun Etymology: by folk etymology from earlier cayan, ultimately modification of Tupi kɨʔɨjá, kɨʔɨnʸá Date: 1756 1. a pungent condiment consisting of the ground dried fruits or seeds of hot peppers 2. hot pepper; especially any of several …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • cayenne pepper — noun 1. plant bearing very hot and finely tapering long peppers; usually red • Syn: ↑cayenne, ↑chili pepper, ↑chilli pepper, ↑long pepper, ↑jalapeno, ↑Capsicum annuum longum • Hypernyms: ↑capsicum …   Useful english dictionary

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