Cayenne Chile Powder, Capsicum annuum, measures approximately 30,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). This powder is also known as cayenne chili powder or ground cayenne pepper. 

The cayenne chile most likely originated in French Guiana, located on the northern coast of South America. Christopher Columbus wrote about them during his expeditions around the Americas and brought them back to Spain as part of his bounty. Cayenne peppers quickly gained popularity in Spain and Portugal. Portuguese traders, in turn, brought cayenne chiles to India, who then turned the cultivation of hot peppers into a trading empire of their own.

These peppers are not known for their flavor as much as they are for their heat. They are a favorite purchase by butchers, small-batch hot sauce manufacturers, and brewpubs.

Flavor Profile

This Cayenne Chile Powder has a fierce heat that greets you upfront and lingers. It has a pungent aroma and a mild flavor that’s almost dusty and fades quickly. 

Heat Level

Cayenne Chile Powder measures approximately 30,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU).

How To Use

Cayenne Chile Powder is perfect for adding heat without changing a dish’s flavor. Dress up your Ketchup with a little shake of Cayenne. Boost the heat in Creole Sausage and Peppers with the help of some Cayenne, or make some extra-devilish deviled eggs. Spike your Homemade Hummus with a sprinkling of Cayenne or enjoy naturally-sweetened heat by adding to Roasted Sweet Potatoes. Add this to sweets; stir it into some Chocolate Bark for a grown-up dessert with a little extra spice. Add this to anything you want to give some kick, from pasta salad to soups or Peanut Brittle. Cayenne Chile Powder delivers a satisfying bang that’s good for everyday use.

Cayenne Chile Powder’s mild flavor goes well with various foods. It’s perfect with root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and onions or with starchy foods like rice and pasta. It pairs nicely with meats and seafood. Since this pepper is heat-centric, add to dishes in small doses until you are accustomed to the heat level of this chile.

Substitutions

De Arbol Chile Powder and Japones Chiles are a bit milder than Cayenne Chile Powder but also have a clean flavor and are mainly used to spice up a dish. They can be substituted for Cayenne at a 1:1 ratio.