Cayenne (Capsicum frutescens), a fruit belonging to the nightshade family, is closely related to bell peppers and jalapeños. These moderately hot chili peppers are 4 to 9 inches long, tapered and generally thin. Although mostly red, yellow and purple varieties also exist. Cayenne peppers are a popular spice used in many different regional styles of cooking, and have been used medicinally for thousands of years.

Capsaicin is the alkaloid compound which gives cayenne its spicy pungent flavor. The level of spice in the pepper varies, depending on the amount of capsaicin it contains.

Rich in vitamin C and A, cayenne is also rich in the essential minerals iron, copper, zinc, potassium, manganese, magnesium and selenium. It is a good source of B-complex vitamins such as niacin, pyridoxine, riboflavin and thiamin and contains antioxidant flavonoids including carotenes, lutein, zeaxanthin and cryptoxanthin.*