Cayenne pepper is a red pepper variety of Capsicum annuum, a plant native to tropical America. It’s a member of the nightshade family, Solanaceae. Pepper plants are grown as perennials in tropical and sub-tropical areas. In temperate areas peppers are germinated indoors to give them a head start because it takes about 100 days to reach maturity.
Pepper plants grow three to four feet tall and continually flower during the growing season. Fruits are harvested and used fresh as vegetables. Immature fruits are often eaten while they’re still green. Peppers that are left on the vine longer ripen to a bright red. Flavors are more fully developed when the fruit is left on the vine to maturity.
Peppers may be picked and used immediately or hung up to dry. Dried fruits are ground to make the spice, cayenne pepper. Dried pepper flakes are also available. Seeds are the hottest part of the pepper, so the overall heat of a dish can be controlled by removing or retaining the seeds. Cayenne is the main ingredient in many hot sauces, especially those with a vinegar base.
Peppers of several species and cultivars may be called chili peppers and used in the same fashion as cayenne pepper. Different varieties have different characteristics so peppers can vary from hot to sweet. Cayenne pepper is a pungent or spicy hot variety that is related to bell peppers and jalapeños, among others.
The chemical that makes cayenne pungent is called capsaicin. It has applications in the medical field as well as in the kitchen. The hotness of this red pepper is due to capsaicin, the heat of which can be felt as a burning sensation when applied to skin. Heat blocks pain signals, so capsaicin is used in topical ointments and rubs. Rubbed on sore muscles or aching joints, a capsaicin-based liniment not only blocks pain temporarily, but increases circulation and relaxes muscles. These liniments may give relief of the pains of arthritis and diabetic neuropathy.
One caution here is to be careful to avoid contact with eyes and mucus membranes after applying a capsaicin-based ointment. Just one mistake of wiping your eyes with pepper-laced hands and you’ll see why there is an irritant weapon made from pepper. Pepper spray is made from capsaicin that’s extracted from peppers to produce a painful and tearful response in the unfortunate recipient. Peppers are also used as a pest deterrent.
There is an exciting medical promise for peppers. The capsaicin extracted from hot peppers like jalapeños has been investigated as a cure for cancer. It was found that capsaicin binds to the mitochondria of cancer cells. Mitochondria are the parts of cells that are responsible for creating energy. When they’re bound up with pepper’s hot molecule they can no longer function, so the cell dies. In the laboratory pepper extract causes cancerous cells to die without harming healthy cells. It is hoped that this could be the basis for a treatment for skin cancer or for finding an anti-cancer drug.
Naomi Gallagher is a writer and a fantastic cook with a love for machines that help her make the most of her time in the kitchen, like the trusty bosch stand mixer. Learn more about flavorful spices and culinary herbs by visiting kamenstein spice rack, where Naomi serves up a number of articles on the topic.
