Description

CAYENNE

 Capsicum annuum; (Solanaceae)
Capsicum frutescens; (C. minimum)

The following is an excerpt from our online class: “Getting to Know: Cayenne Pepper!”

Common names:

African pepper, African red pepper, American red pepper, bird pepper, capsicum, cayenne, cayenne pepper, Spanish pepper, Capsique or Poivre de Cayenne (Fr.); Spanisher Pfeffer or Schlotenpfeffer (Ger.).

Capsicum frutescens is a species of chili pepper that is sometimes considered to be part of the species Capsicum annuum.

Part used:

Fruit

Background:

Cayenne, the kitchen spice, which is also known as chili pepper, is made from the familiar red pepper which many people know as the bell pepper, sweet pepper or capsicum. The spices made from red peppers vary in strength from mild paprika to the hottest type of cayenne. The name cayenne is Caribbean in origin, but most of the world’s supply comes from Africa and India.

Medicinally Cayenne is used both internally and externally to address muscle spasms, cramps and back pain.