Cayenne chili pepper powder

How to Use Cayenne Pepper in Cooking?

Some Recommendations for Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper has become a staple in our kitchens. However, it needs to be used sparingly. To spice up your dishes, it's best to taste as you add Cayenne pepper. Avoid handling it with bare hands; prefer to use gloves. Avoid any contact with the eyes.

Some Ideas to Enhance Your Dishes with Cayenne Pepper

Here are some recipe ideas to use Cayenne pepper in your cooking:

• - Guacamole: add two pinches of Cayenne pepper to the mixture to give your guacamole a kick;
• - Marinated Cayenne Pepper Chicken: before cooking, add 1.5 teaspoons of Cayenne pepper and mix well. Discover the complete recipe here;
• - Chickpea Curry: before cooking the chickpeas, add ½ teaspoon of Cayenne pepper along with spices (ginger, cumin, turmeric);
• - Spiced Pecans: add ½ teaspoon of Cayenne pepper powder to the mixture, then sauté the pecans;
• - Grapefruit Margarita with Cayenne Pepper: add Cayenne pepper to water and sugar, then bring to a simmer to create the syrup that accompanies the cocktail.

The Aromas of Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper has a slightly fruity aroma. Its flavors are powerful and spicy. Its smoky aroma and spicy taste will enhance your dishes and sauces. Its spiciness level is 8/10 (very hot) on the Scoville scale. It is much spicier than, for example, Espelette pepper, which is considered hot (4/10).

Cayenne Pepper and Its Botanical Background

How Does Cayenne Pepper Grow?

Cayenne pepper, whose botanical name is Capsicum frutscens, belongs to the Solanaceae family. It is cultivated all year round and is reddish-orange when it reaches maturity. Cayenne pepper can be consumed in powder form or whole.

What is the Origin of Cayenne Pepper?

Cayenne pepper is native to the Andes, a mountainous region of South and Central America. However, as its name suggests, Cayenne pepper is named after the capital of French Guiana, where it was discovered. It is now grown in many regions around the world, including India, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean.

The History of Cayenne Pepper

According to archaeologists, Cayenne pepper seems to have been used for its medicinal properties for a long time, particularly by the Maya and Aztecs. However, it wasn't until the 16th century that Cayenne pepper was discovered and imported to Europe by the Spanish. Nowadays, its use has gone far beyond borders and become international. Indeed, it is now one of the most well-known and widely produced peppers in the world.

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