Cayenne Pepper

The Cayenne pepper is an heirloom Capsicum annuum variety with origins linked to French Guiana in South America. It takes its name from the city of Cayenne and has been cultivated for centuries, spreading globally through European trade routes.

Plants typically grow between 60 and 120 centimetres tall and produce long, slender fruits averaging 10 to 15 centimetres in length. Pods mature from green to bright red and are usually thin-walled, making them suitable for drying and grinding into powder.

Cayenne peppers have a sharp, direct heat with a simple flavour profile and are widely used in cooking, sauces, and spice blends. Due to its long history of cultivation and stable traits passed down through generations, Cayenne is classified as an heirloom variety.