General Description Red Pepper is made from the ground fruit of a plant in the
Capsicum family. The fruits, commonly known as "chilies"
or "chili peppers," are fiery red or orange pods which rarely
grow to more than 4 inches in length. The ground product
ranges from orangered, to deep, dark red. According to the
American Spice Trade Association, "Red Pepper" is the preferred
name for all hot red pepper spices. Cayenne Pepper is another
name for the same type of product. Some manufacturers use
the term Cayenne Pepper to refer to a hotter version of
Red Pepper.
Geographical Sources China, Japan, India, Mexico, Africa, and Louisiana
Traditional Ethnic Uses
Red Pepper is used to achieve the characteristically hot
flavor of Mexican, Creole, Cajun, Thai, Szechuan, and Indian
cooking. It also is used in chili, Spanish rice, and barbecue
sauce as well as meats, salads, and casseroles.
Taste and Aroma
Red pepper is a pungent, hot powder with a strong bite.
