Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne chillies, or Cayenne peppers, are 2-4 inches long and ½ inch wide before they are ground into a fine powder. They are cultivated in Louisiana, Mexico, Asia and Africa. With explosive heat and an acidic, tart bite, these chillies are mainly used in Caribbean, Creole and Cajun cuisines.

The whole chilli is typically used for decoration, but the powdered version is a lot more versatile. De Arbol and Guajillo Chillies are also different types of Cayenne that come from Mexico.

Cayenne is a great option for meals that need more heat. Try adding to soups, sauces and even to Ragu and ratatouille. Cayenne is extremely popular in American cuisine, where it is the first chilli added to ramp up the heat!