Spice, ground from chili peppers: To obtain cayenne pepper, the chili peppers of the same name, relatives of paprika, are dried and processed to a fine powder.
see Capsici fructus acer. The dried, hot fruits of the chili variety (paprika) cayenne usually serve as the basis. The pungency of cayenne pepper is caused by capsaicin, which contains 0.6-0.9%.
Originally from tropical Central and South America, in the meantime also cultivated in other tropical countries.