28/01/2024
How to Grow and Care for Cayenne Peppers?
The cayenne pepper is said to originate from Cayenne, French Guiana. It is a nightshade plant grown as a cultivar of Capsicum annuum, which is also common to other pepper varieties, like bell peppers, serrano peppers, and jalapeños. Cayenne peppers are medium-heat pepper, measuring 30,000 to 50,000 on the Scoville hotness scale.
Cayenne pepper plants are bushy, growing up to 61cm tall, with smooth elliptical green leaves and small white star-shaped flowers. They should be planted in the spring and grow reasonably quickly. Cayenne plants are heat-loving, full-sun, frost-tender perennials commonly grown as annuals in cold climates.
Cayenne pepper plants require organically rich, moist, well-drained soil. A slightly acidic to neutral soil pH is best. More acidic soil can produce peppers that are spicier than normal.
Cayenne pepper plants are self-pollinating, assisted by wind and insects in the garden. They also can cross-pollinate with other pepper varieties.
It’s commonly dried and ground into a fine powder. It’s also used fresh in many recipes. It grows around the world. In addition to being delicious, it adds a touch of heat to your food and provides some remarkable health benefits.
Health Benefits:
Pain Relief
Cayenne peppers, like other spicy peppers, have capsaicin, the compound that gives them their “heat”. Applied topically, capsaicin can help to alleviate pain by reducing the amount of a neuropeptide known as substance P that travels to the brain to signal pain. With less substance P, feelings of pain decrease.
Psoriasis Treatment
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes itchy, scaly, red patches on the skin. While there is currently no cure, topical capsaicin creams can help to reduce itching and improve the skin’s appearance.
Metabolism Boost
Capsaicin increases the amount of heat that your body produces, giving a slight boost to your metabolism and causing you to burn slightly more calories. It’s also somewhat effective in reducing hunger, causing you to eat less throughout the day.
Digestive Health
Capsaicin stimulates the nerves in your stomach that send signals for protection against injury. The pepper may help to increase the production of digestive fluid, send enzymes to the stomach to aid in digestion, and provide extra protection to the stomach against infections.
Reducing High Blood Pressure
Based on some studies, capsaicin may help to reduce high blood pressure, which also reduces the risk of developing heart disease.
Reducing Cancer Risk
Some studies show that capsaicin can slow cancer cell growth. It may even be able to kill cancer cells for certain types of cancer, including prostate, skin, and pancreatic.
Nutrition:
Cayenne pepper, like other spicy peppers, has a compound known as capsaicin. It has many antioxidants, including:
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Beta carotene
• Cryptoxanthin
• Choline
• Lutein
• Zeaxanthin
In addition to these nutrients, cayenne peppers also have:
• Vitamin B1
• Vitamin B2
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin K
• Folate
• Manganese
• Potassium
• Copper
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Selenium
• Phosphorous
• Zinc
Fresh and ground cayenne pepper can be used in a variety of ways:
• Add a dash of cayenne pepper to a soup or stew
• Sprinkle it over egg dishes such as scrambled eggs, quiches, or egg salad
• Mix it into hummus
• Add a pinch of ground cayenne pepper to your hot chocolate
