Cayenne is a long, thin, fiery red chili that has become the standard pepper for drying and grinding into hot powder and pepper sauce. The pods grow six to ten inches long, tapering to a curled point, and ripen from green to brilliant red. With a heat rating around 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville units, cayenne offers a sharp, clean burn without much sweetness. The plants are productive and set heavy crops of slender pods that dry easily on the plant or on a string. Long grown in the American South and around the world, cayenne is prized for hot sauce, seasoning blends and any dish that needs a straightforward, powerful kick of heat.
Flavor Profile
Sharp, pungent and quite hot with a clean, direct burn and little sweetness, ideal for drying and powdering.
Visual Characteristics
Long, slender wrinkled pods six to ten inches long that curl and taper to a point, ripening from green to bright red.
Growing Tips
Very productive; leave pods to redden fully, then dry them on a string in a warm airy spot for powder.
Where to Buy
Sourcing information coming soon. Check local nurseries and seed banks for availability.