Do you like a little kick in your cooking? If so, then it's time to get more acquainted with cayenne pepper. This celebrated spice is known for its vibrant colour and fiery flavour, which not only adds zest to dishes but also boasts numerous health benefits. Let's turn up the heat and learn how to incorporate the dynamic flavor of cayenne pepper into your cooking repertoire.
The history of cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper dates back thousands of years, when Central and South American cultures used it for its fiery flavour and purported medicinal properties. They must have been onto something, because today it's is a staple in many cuisines worldwide, adding a spicy kick to dishes like chili, curries, and marinades. Even hot chocolate can benefit from a little of this long, skinny pepper.
Cultivation and harvesting of cayenne pepper
Cayenne peppers are easy to cultivate and harvest at home. You'll know they're ready to harvest when they reach their mature red colour, but you needn't use them right away. You can dry them and then either grind them into a powder (like our Ground Cayenne Pepper), flake them, or keep them whole (we like to string them into pretty decorative chains for the kitchen).
One pepper, different varieties
There are a few varieties of cayenne pepper, including the regular hot, pungent one along with sweet cayenne, with a milder heat that suits those who prefer less spice. You can also opt for a Carolina cayenne, which has twice the heat, if you're really brave. You can adjust and even combine them to add depth and complexity to your dishes and tailor the flavour to your desired heat level.
Health Benefits of Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne spice isn't just good for the palate - it's good for the body, primarily due to its active compound, capsaicin. It's rich in vitamins and antioxidants, Doctors have even said that it can slightly boost your metabolism and reduce hunger, while improving digestion (just don't go overboard in your capsaicin consumption).
Spicing up Your Meals With Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is great to have handy in your kitchen, whether you're whisking it into side dishes like these Black-Eyed Peas or adding to marinades. Its bright colour adds a visual appeal to meals, but it's also a pepper with a kick, scoring between 30,000 to 50,000 on the Scoville spiciness scale. That puts it well above the relatively mild jalapeno, which scores 2,500-8,000, but safely below the notorious ghost pepper (which can score over a million).
This spicy sweet spot adds vibrant kick to dishes without overpowering their other flavours, as in this Esquites with Crispy Adobo Carnitas recipe. A little cayenne goes a long way, though, so start with a pinch and adjust according to your taste preference.
Cayenne appies
Cayenne spice is versatile enough to fit all kinds of dishes, including appetizers. For example, it complements the sweetness of the Pure Vanilla Extract in this Vanilla Shrimp Crostini dish, creating a crunchy, cheesy, shrimp sensation.
Seasonings and sauces
In fact, this little pepper turns up in all kinds of unexpected places. It's a surprising addition to classic sauces like this Easy Hollandaise Sauce, where a pinch of pepper introduces a subtle heat, bringing depth and complexity to those breakfast bennies.
Cayenne also blends nicely with paprika and garlic powder in our Vietnamese Cajun Seasoning recipe to offer a zesty, aromatic profile ideal for meats and vegetables.
Cayenne with pasta and potatoes
Cayenne pepper truly elevates this Mac and Cheese with Chips and Beer dish by adding a subtle heat that cuts through the richness of the cheese and the maltiness of the ale. Each bite offers a warm spiciness that complements the creamy texture, enhancing the overall culinary experience and leaving a memorable tingle on your palate.
How about jazzing up a potato salad with a little extra spice? Cayenne pepper is just the thing in this Buffalo Chicken Potato Salad recipe, transforming the classic comfort of creamy potatoes and savoury chicken with a spicy kick.
Cayenne pepper for dessert
Cayenne for dessert? Why not? Its subtle, spicy kick perfectly balances the cool, creamy tart lime flavour of our Mini Frozen Thai Lime Pies. This surprising after-heat adds complex depth to each creamy bite.
Cayenne pepper is your secret culinary weapon. Used in the right amount, you'll find it adds a new element to a wide range of dishes, so always keep a jar handy on the shelf.
More cayenne pepper recipes
In need of more spicy cayenne dishes? Look no further than these awesome recipes.
