Cayenne pepper is the dried and ground hot pepper used to flavor dishes. Its heat level is approximately 40,000-50,000 Scoville heat units, which means it is 4-5 times hotter than regular paprika. It is named Cayenne after the river of the same name in French Guiana in Latin America. The flavor of cayenne pepper is moderate to quite spicy with a fruity taste, in contrast to the sweeter paprika. It pairs well with many national cuisines.

The properties of cayenne pepper include many nutrients such as vitamins A, B, C, E, potassium, and manganese. It improves heart health, promotes weight loss, enhances digestion, and boosts the immune system. Ideal storage: should be kept in a cool, dark, and dry place.

Difference between Pepper and Paprika:

• Pepper comes from the Piper plant, while paprika comes from the Capsicum annuum plant.
• Pepper has a hot taste due to piperine, paprika due to capsaicin.
• Both pepper and paprika have been used since antiquity for flavor and medicinal properties.

Below is a heat scale of peppers:

• Sweet Bell Pepper: 0 SHU
• Banana Pepper: 0-500 SHU
• Pimento Pepper: 100-500 SHU
• Anaheim Pepper: 500-2,500 SHU
• Cubanelle Pepper: 1,000-2,000 SHU
• Serrano Pepper: 10,000-23,000 SHU
• Cayenne Pepper: 30,000-50,000 SHU
• Thai Pepper: 50,000-100,000 SHU
• Habanero Pepper: 100,000-350,000 SHU
• Scotch Bonnet Pepper: 100,000-350,000 SHU
• Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia): 800,000-1,041,427 SHU
• Trinidad Scorpion: 1,200,000-2,000,000 SHU
• Carolina Reaper: 1,400,000-2,200,000 SHU