The Red Cayenne pepper is a classic favorite known for delivering bold heat and vibrant flavor to a wide range of dishes. Prized by chefs and home cooks alike, it adds a clean, lingering spice that enhances everything from sauces and soups to marinades and salsas. Beyond its culinary appeal, Red Cayenne pepper is also celebrated for its impressive nutritional profile, containing high levels of beneficial compounds—especially capsaicin, which is widely used in health supplements to support metabolism and overall wellness.
Fresh Red Cayenne peppers are especially popular in hot sauces and salsas, where their bright heat and subtle fruitiness shine. Like the Jalapeño, Cayenne peppers strike a perfect balance: hot enough to deliver a satisfying kick, yet not overwhelming, making them approachable for a wide range of palates. With a medium heat level ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), Red Cayenne sits comfortably between the Serrano and Thai peppers in spiciness.
The Red Cayenne pepper is easy to recognize by its thin, elongated, slightly curved shape, typically growing 4 to 6 inches long. It ripens from green to a vibrant red, signaling peak flavor and heat. A close, slightly hotter relative is the Charleston pepper, and the Cayenne family also includes the Golden Cayenne as well as the Thunder Chocolate Cayenne.
