Description

Red Pepper is the dried, ripened fruit pod of Capsicum frutescens, one of the most pungent Capsicums. It is sometimes referred to as Cayenne Red Pepper, having been named after the high heat chilies grown in the vicinity of the Cayenne River in French Guiana.

Uses

Red Pepper adds heat and bite to seasoning blends, meats, pickles, seafood, Italian, Indian, Mexican, and Caribbean cuisines. Red Pepper is used in seasoned salt, chili powder, jerk, mole negro, and berbere seasoning blends.

Origins

Although there are numerous sources of Red Pepper, India, Pakistan, and China are the major producers. Varieties originating from these countries are among the hottest and most pungent types.

Folklore

Early Spanish explorers found Red Pepper pods in the Caribbean while looking for true pepper berries. In innocent confusion or perhaps to save face, the Spaniards named their discovery "pepper." There is no relationship between the capsicum pods and the true pepper berries, but the misnomer "pepper" has stuck.