The body of this hot pepper is dried and ground, or pulped and baked into cakes that are ground and sifted to make its powdered form. Some of powder mixtures contain its seeds which makes it hotter than those without seeds. Powders range in color from orange-red, red, or brownish red.

Cooking with Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne is commonly used in Cajun, Creole, Asian and Mexican cultures. It is a main ingredient in chili con carne and employed in the cooking of such seafood as salmon, oysters, crayfish, mussels, scallops, sardines and much more. The spice is also used in Worcestershire sauce, and frequently used in curries, chutneys, marinades and even some jellies.

Incorporate cayenne in grilling, stewing and frying meats. Use a little cayenne in your flour when cooking fried chicken or fish. For ultimate heat, use a fresh whole Cayenne pepper and drop it into your stews or other dishes. Want less heat? Remove the seeds and ribs. If your dish is way too hot, grab some potatoes, noodles, or coconut milk to absorb the heat.

Handling Cayenne Pepper

When handling cayenne pepper it is best to equip yourself with gloves. Do not touch your face and definitely keep your hands away from your eyes and   nose to avoid severe burns.  If you bite into the red pepper and the heat is too much too handle, eat a slice of bread or get some salt in your mouth and chew, or grab a piece of coconut.

Medicinal Uses and Benefits

This little pepper packs a wallop when it comes to health benefits. It’s been used for centuries as a help with gastrointestinal conditions, gas, cramping, and stomachaches.  Cayenne is considered thermogenic, which means your metabolism speeds up with its use and the pepper can be an aid in losing weight.The brain is not left out of the benefits of cayenne, the use of cayenne pepper helps the brain secrete more endorphins which can be helpful in relieving pain.

One last tid bit...if you thought dark chocolate was helpful to your heart get a load of what cayenne pepper can do.  Over time, cayenne pepper reduces the possibility of arteriosclerosis (process of the hardening of the arteries) by reducing blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. 

Article by Monica Johnson