Peppers come in all shapes and sizes. In an earlier blog we discussed the chipotle pepper, but of course there are many more peppers that deserve attention. The peppers that probably come to mind first are black pepper, chili pepper and cayenne pepper. And it's the latter, cayenne pepper, that we want to talk to you about today. Although you see cayenne pepper used in many recipes, for many people it is still unclear exactly what cayenne pepper is and what the differences are between cayenne pepper and chili pepper. You may also have heard that adding cayenne pepper to your diet can be very good for your health. But in what way exactly? And how can you incorporate cayenne pepper into your dishes?
The answers to all these questions we will give you in this blog. After reading this blog you will know what cayenne pepper is and what exactly the difference is between cayenne pepper and chili pepper. You will also soon know why it can be useful to add extra cayenne pepper to your dishes during the winter months. And of course we will give you some recipes so you can get started right away with this delicious flavoring. Let's begin!
What is cayenne pepper?
Cayenne pepper has its origins in Central and South America. Here this thin, elongated pepper occurs naturally. The cayenne pepper is named after the eponymous capital Cayenne of the South American country French Guiana, which lies next to Suriname. Like the chipotle pepper, the cayenne pepper was most likely brought back to Europe by European explorers, from where it then reached the rest of the world via the many trade routes between Asia and Africa.
A ripe cayenne pepper is deep red in color and is known for its spicy flavor. This heat is provided by capsaicin, the compound that makes every pepper hot. Cayenne pepper is therefore often added to dishes that could use an extra kick. You can find it fresh, dried or ground in several grocers and supermarkets. Yet, unlike the jalapeno pepper or chili pepper, cayenne pepper is most often seen in dried powder form.
Cayenne pepper is used as a powder in both professional kitchens and home kitchens of hobby cooks. You will see cayenne pepper more than once in recipes for stews, curries and meat and fish dishes. Hot sauce is also extremely popular nowadays, in which cayenne pepper is often used to add a pleasant heat. Further on in this blog we give you two recipes with which you can start using this pepper!
What is the difference between cayenne pepper and chili pepper?
Cayenne pepper and chili pepper are terms that are often incorrectly used interchangeably. Cayenne pepper and chili pepper are not the same. Chili pepper is a collective term used to refer to different types of peppers, the peppers that are members of the capsicum family. Under chili peppers you can therefore find many different types of peppers, such as the jalapeno, habanero, poblano and of course the cayenne pepper.
The cayenne pepper on the other hand is a specific pepper, which in Latin is called capsicum annuum. So it does belong to the chili pepper family, but it is really a pepper variety on its own with a unique heat and flavor profile. As a rule of thumb you can keep in mind that every cayenne pepper is a chili pepper, but not every chili pepper is a cayenne pepper.
What are the health benefits of cayenne pepper?
Besides being a delicious flavoring, cayenne pepper is good for health for several reasons. Various health benefits are attributed to capsaicin, the compound that gives cayenne pepper its spiciness. You often see this compound on the label of different creams because of its pain-relieving properties. Especially creams that help against pain from arthritis and muscle pain often contain capsaicin. Applying capsaicin to the skin causes the nerve endings to be slightly numbed, which relieves the pain.
In addition to the pain-relieving properties of cayenne pepper, it also helps with improving heart health. Several studies show that cayenne pepper improves heart health by lowering both blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In addition, eating cayenne pepper causes blood vessels to dilate, which improves circulation. And cayenne pepper can even help with regulating weight. Because capsaicin stimulates both fat burning and metabolism, regularly eating cayenne pepper can help you maintain a healthy weight.
And the benefits of cayenne pepper don't stop there. Cayenne pepper also helps against the common cold! The heat of the pepper helps clear the nasal passages and is therefore a natural remedy for a blocked nose. Especially in the winter months it can therefore be wise to use cayenne pepper in your dishes, so you do not have to walk around with a blocked nose in winter.
Here we should add a small caveat: although cayenne pepper is a remedy for many minor ailments, eating too much cayenne pepper can lead to irritation of the airways and can cause digestive problems. Therefore enjoy this seasoning in moderation!
How can you use cayenne pepper?
Now that you know what cayenne pepper is and why it is good for your health, you are probably curious how to use it in the kitchen. As we already said above, you often see cayenne pepper used in stews, curry and meat and fish dishes that could use some heat. To give you an idea of what is possible with cayenne pepper, below we name two delicious dishes in which you can begin your cayenne pepper adventure.
If you decidedly do not like spicy food, you could replace cayenne pepper with paprika powder. However, compared to cayenne pepper, paprika powder contains a minimal amount of capsaicin, which means paprika powder is much less potent than cayenne pepper in contributing to good health.
Recipe 1: Marinate chicken with cayenne pepper
A delicious way to use ground cayenne pepper is to add it to a chicken marinade. For this, mix in a bowl one tablespoon of paprika powder, one tablespoon of cumin powder, half a tablespoon of cayenne powder (depending on how spicy you like your chicken) and black pepper and salt to taste. By combining this spice mix with olive oil you create a nice, flavorful marinade. Then you can coat the chicken breast, chicken thigh fillet or chicken wings with the marinade, after which you want to let it rest in the fridge for at least half an hour so the marinade can do its work.
When you have waited half an hour the chicken will be well flavored and ready to be fried. Do this over medium-high heat so the chicken gets a beautiful caramelized exterior. You can then use this chicken in a dish of your choice. Think for example of a wrap. Fill the wrap with the delicious spicy chicken, fresh vegetables and a dollop of sour cream, and within no time you have a delicious and nutritious meal on the table. Or use the marinade to make spicy chicken wings, which you can then serve with a grilled corn on the cob and coleslaw. The possibilities are endless!
Recipe 2: Roasted vegetables with a kick
Besides marinating a delicious piece of chicken, cayenne pepper can add a nice kick to roasted vegetables from the oven. What you want to do here is essentially the same as for the chicken, namely we start with a marinade. In this dish we use cauliflower florets as the vegetable, but of course you could also use other vegetables that are good for roasting in the oven, such as zucchini, carrot or even Brussels sprouts.
We make the marinade by mixing paprika powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper and salt. As with the chicken, it is important to think carefully about how spicy you like your vegetables. The rule here is: the more cayenne pepper, the spicier the end result. Then mix the spice mix with a splash of olive oil, after which you can coat the cauliflower florets with the marinade.
Roast the cauliflower florets for 20 to 25 minutes in a preheated oven at 220 degrees Celsius. When the cauliflower florets are nicely golden brown and crispy, they are done. Delicious as a spicy side dish, alongside fried potatoes and a (vegan) burger. Or maybe as an addition to a Thai curry. Again, you can go in many directions!
Make delicious dishes and work on your health
In this blog we have taken you through what cayenne pepper actually is. Now you can distinguish the terms cayenne pepper and chili pepper and you also know how cayenne pepper got its name! Apart from using this pepper as a flavoring, we have also told you in this blog in which ways this pepper contributes to good health. Besides giving a delicious kick to your dishes, such as the spicy chicken or roasted cauliflower florets we told you about above, by eating cayenne pepper you are simultaneously working on your health!
In our assortment you can find cayenne pepper in powder form, the most common form of cayenne pepper. As you are used to from us, the jars, bags or shakers of cayenne pepper we offer contain only cayenne pepper, so no unwanted salts or E-numbers. What will you use the cayenne pepper for? To season your meat and vegetables? Or perhaps against colds during the cold winter months? Through this blog we hope we have made you a little wiser, enabling you to make an informed and flavorful choice in the kitchen. Enjoy this delicious seasoning; bon appétit!
FAQ’s cayenne pepper – what is it and why is it so good for you?
1. What exactly is cayenne pepper?
Cayenne pepper is a finely ground spice made from dried red chili peppers, usually of the Capsicum annuum variety. The powder has a bright red color and a spicy, warming taste. Unlike paprika powder, cayenne pepper is noticeably hotter and is mainly used to give dishes extra heat.
2. Why is cayenne pepper good for you?
Cayenne pepper contains antioxidants and vitamin A. In addition, cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, the compound that gives it the spicy taste. Capsaicin is known for its warming effect and is associated with:
- A slight stimulation of metabolism
- Support of digestion
- Improved circulation
- Temporary reduction of appetite
3. Does cayenne pepper help with weight loss?
Cayenne pepper can play a supportive role in weight management because capsaicin can slightly increase energy expenditure and enhance feelings of satiety. However, it is not a miracle cure: it works best in combination with a varied and balanced diet.
4. Is cayenne pepper healthy for your heart?
Research suggests that capsaicin may have a positive effect on circulation and may help support healthy blood pressure. It may also contribute to a better fat metabolism. Use cayenne pepper in moderation as part of a healthy diet.
5. How do you use cayenne pepper in your daily diet?
You can add cayenne pepper to:
- Soups and stews
- Marinades for meat or vegetables
- Scrambled eggs or omelets
- Hummus or yogurt dips
- Smoothies with ginger and lemon
Always start with a small amount: cayenne is powerful and a pinch is often already sufficient.
