One of the most popular spices in Asian cuisine is cayenne pepper. Compared to black or red pepper, it is not so often used in our country. Cayenne pepper is characterized by a deceptive softness of aroma and a burning taste. It is not so difficult to grow this culture on your site, you just need to adhere to the basic subtleties of growing this plant.
Cayenne Pepper Seeds
Cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper has a burning taste
History of Cayenne Pepper
Over the years, cayenne pepper has been grown in Mexico and South America. However, the island of Java and some territories of South India are noted as the historical place of origin of this culture.
Native American Indian tribes ate it as a treat, just as easy as eating fruit. The Indians were already convinced that these fruits have a healing effect and protect the body from any disease.
For the first time in Europe they learned about red cayenne pepper pods from Christopher Columbus. It was introduced by the Spanish navigator and instantly gained popularity as an inexpensive alternative to black pepper. At that time, black pepper was extremely popular among the population of Europe and was perceived as an extremely valuable spice, as it was in short supply.
Cayenne pepper brought from the west solved several problems at once. He added variety to familiar dishes and allowed more people to buy spiced spice for a low price.
Today, cayenne pepper pods are grown in Mexico and China. But the leader in the cultivation of this culture is East Africa, which is engaged in the import of cayenne pepper around the world.
Description and characteristic
Chili pepper is usually called any pepper with a sharp and even burning taste. Cayenne pepper also falls into this category. Therefore, these concepts are used interchangeably.
Cayenne pepper is usually classified as a nightshade family. Today, there are many different variations and varieties of this culture. They may differ in hue and shape of the fruit.
Appearance
The hue of the fruit can be in 3 variations: green, yellow and red, familiar to everyone. Sometimes you can find the fruits of a dark brown hue.
Unripe pepper pod has a light greenish tint. It is also customary to eat. It bears the name - pepperoni. The length of the pepper, depending on the growing conditions, can be from 3 to 12 cm. The shape can be very diverse, in the form of cherries, olives or hearts.
The shrub is a dense branchy plant, the height of which can reach 1 m. Flowering occurs constantly, so the shrub will delight the eye with bright miniature flowers.
Taste and smell
The cayenne pepper hotness has a direct relationship with its variety. For the fruits of this plant, a special scale of acuity was even invented, named after the American chemist Wilbur Scoville. It allows you to compare the degree of burning taste of different varieties of pepper. Cayenne pepper is characterized by an indicator of 45,000 units.
It is an interesting fact that the sharpness and burning of the oral cavity, the taste of chili peppers, can be felt even when diluting 1 g of pepper per 1,000 liters of water.
Especially attractive for culinary experts from all over the world in cayenne pepper is its smell. Thanks to him, any, even the simplest dish, acquires a unique aroma. It's all about a special substance called capsaicin, which is contained in the seeds, peel and leg of the pepper pods.
The peculiar bitterness and pungency of pepper is largely associated with the seed part. Removing it can significantly reduce the burning effect when consumed. Scientists noted that with the regular addition of red chili peppers to the diet, the body gets used to the peculiar bitterness of the fruits and subsequently no longer causes such uncomfortable sensations as before.
Useful and harmful properties
As mentioned earlier, hot cayenne pepper has a lot of useful properties for the human body. Consider a few of them:
- The presence of a huge number of trace elements vital to humans - riboflavin, potassium, iron, niacin, magnesium. The content of a small amount of vitamins A, E, K and C.
- Pepper pods have a warming effect on the body, the efforts of blood flow and the expansion of blood vessels. In medicine, it is often used as a composition of mustard or ointment.
- The infusion prepared from the fruits of this plant allows you to relieve headaches and help restore inflamed tissues.
- Daily use of a small amount of dried chili has a positive effect on male potency.
- Fruits have an antimicrobial effect, allowing you to get rid of fungus and harmful microorganisms. Quite often, chili is part of the ointment for fungal infections under the nails or on the feet.
- The use of chili in the form of spices can be prescribed to people prone to frequent allergic reactions and cramps in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Adding chili to the diet helps to strengthen immunity and purify the blood.
- It has a positive effect on the body in diseases of the heart and blood vessels. It is noted that eating cayenne pepper reduces the risk of a heart attack.
Red pepper pods should be used with extreme caution, as abuse can have the opposite effect. Cayenne pepper is prohibited for use by people with an inflamed ulcer, impaired digestive organs and kidneys.
How to grow cayenne pepper?
Over the years, chili pepper was considered an exotic plant in our country and was imported exclusively in the form of a prepared spice. But recently, an increasing number of skilled gardeners are independently engaged in the cultivation of this crop.
If we talk about caring for pods of red chili, it is in many ways similar to growing vegetables such as bell peppers or tomatoes. In any case, greenhouse conditions and regular maintenance of a high level of humidity will be required.
You can learn about growing chili peppers on the windowsill here.
Seed germination
Pepper seeds will not germinate unless germinated first. Germination process will take about 9-10 days, not more. The step-by-step process looks like this:
- To begin, place the seeds in a gauze or piece of cotton.
- Then place the seeds in a warm place with no drafts. Regularly moisten the tissue, preferably every 4-5 hours. Heat and humidity will contribute to seed swelling.
- After a few days, the seed will germinate. As soon as this happens, it is necessary to immediately plant it in the fertile, previously loosened soil, so that air can penetrate the roots. Plant only those seeds that have managed to develop a strong and healthy root. Only in this case, it is hoped that the seedlings will give good shoots. It is better to get rid of the remaining not sprouted seeds that did not have time to germinate in 7 days.
- Plant pre-prepared seeds in any available container. It is preferable to carry out this process in late February. This is due to the fact that this culture is extremely dependent on sunlight and needs good lighting. Choose a place where containers with seedlings will be lit as much as possible during the daytime.
- Moisten the soil, and cover the container with cling film to create a favorable microclimate for peppers. The greenhouse effect will provoke the rapid growth and development of seedlings.
- As soon as you notice two or more blossoming leaves on the seedlings, dive the plant. To do this, prepare individual pots and transplant seedlings.
- After the seedling reaches a height of 12-16 cm, it can be "relocated" to the open ground. An alternative is a larger pot for flowers, for home growing on the windowsill.
Cayenne pepper is not picky about all kinds of dressings and fertilizers. For successful growth, fertile soil is enough for him. If desired, it is permissible to mix a small amount of organic humus or wood ash into the soil used.
Draft and dive are irritating factors for the plant that cause stress. Therefore, try unnecessarily not to disturb the seedlings and not to allow them to freeze.
Landing
A seedling that has reached a height of 12-16 cm has a strong root system. This means that he is able to adapt to new environmental conditions and begin to bear fruit. In greenhouse conditions, the plant is able to reach a height of 1 m and grow to a lush beautiful shrub.
Before replanting seedlings in a greenhouse, make sure that the temperature regime in the dark is more or less stable. The most favorable temperature for peppers is 8-10 degrees. In order for the planting of seedlings of capsicum to be successful, adhere to the following algorithm:
- Thoroughly loosen the soil and level it with garden forks.
- On each bed at a distance of about 40 cm, make one hole. In rows of honey, keep a distance of 50 cm.
- Pour abundantly each well with water (it is imperative that it be warm) and add 5 teaspoons of any organic fertilizer (peat-based top dressing is recommended).
- Plant the seedling so that the neck of the root is flush with the surface of the earth.
- Soil around the planted bushes lightly pat your palm to make the earth more dense. Then mulch with dry peat or humus.
When an unexpected drop in temperature occurs, especially in the dark, it is recommended to fix metal arcs over the seedlings. With their help, you can build a so-called hut from a production film or agro-fiber fabric. They will protect the plant from freezing.
An ideal soil for the successful growth and development of this culture is mixing in equal proportions of such rocks as sand, humus and loam. Many people get ready-made mixtures intended for growing tomatoes. This is due to the fact that both cultures are very similar and require the same conditions.
According to the experience of gardeners, the plant has largely managed to adapt to the surrounding conditions of our country, including the composition of soils.
Choosing a place and lighting
Without creating the necessary conditions, the plant will not begin to bear fruit. It will continue to bloom and visually it may seem that the plant is developing. But the red hot peppers will not appear. The first thing to take care of is choosing a place.
Unfortunately, in the cold climate of our country it is almost impossible to grow fruitful cayenne pepper. Seedlings planted in open beds (where the temperature regime changes several times over 24 hours) in a fairly short period of time, will die. Therefore, select the required amount of land in the greenhouse under the pepper.
Loosen the beds to make them taller. Make sure that the right side of the greenhouse receives enough sunlight. The greenhouse should be closed most of the time.
Plant care
Growing cayenne pepper in a greenhouse is not as troublesome as it might seem at first glance. Most of the content of this crop can resemble standard actions for caring for vegetables grown in greenhouse conditions:
- In the process of plant development, pinch off the stepson shoots and timely remove the shoots from the roots.
- Watch the air permeability of the soil. This is one of the important requirements for good fruiting of cayenne pepper. After each moistening of the soil, which contributes to the compaction of the soil and reduces its breathability, do not forget to thoroughly loosen the ground around each bush. It is enough to capture about 5-7 cm of the upper layer of the earth so that air enters the root system.
Note that the ovaries tend to form at the stems of the plant. To make large peppers ripen, thin out inflorescences as often as possible. Leave exceptional ones that are strong and healthy.
Watering
Long before the bush begins to bloom actively, water the plant every 7 days. Calculate the required volume of water in advance - 11 liters of liquid per 1 square. m of land planted with cayenne pepper. With increasing temperature and the scorching sun, watering is carried out twice a week.
Flowering and fruiting are stages when red capsicum requires an increased amount of liquid. Therefore, water with a frequency of 3 days. Water the plant exclusively in the basal zone. Water should never fall on the leaves.
Pruning
Subject to all conditions for growing cayenne pepper, the plant independently acquires the appearance of a strong and lush shrub. It regularly blooms and bears fruit. If desired, you can slightly pinch the tops of a still young plant, so that it grows more actively. But for those who prefer larger and more massive chili peppers, it is recommended to thoroughly remove several inflorescences on a regular basis.
Pepper storage
There are a lot of ways to increase the shelf life of chili peppers. The preferred storage location for hot peppers is a dark, cool room or refrigerator. In this case, the fruits are previously hermetically packed in a bag of polyethylene. Pods are stored, with this method no more than 14 days, if necessary, consumed fresh.
If you want to save cayenne pepper for a longer time, it is recommended to use the following freezing method:
- To get started, sort the entire stock of pods into small portions. Assume an approximate amount that you are able to use at a time. This is necessary so that, if necessary, it was possible to get the required volume, while not subjecting the remaining part of the stocks to thawing, and subsequently not subjecting the vegetable to new freezing.
- Then grind it into large or small slices, depending on your preference. Remember to rinse the pods first.
- Pack in bags made of polyethylene or plastic containers and place in the freezer compartment.
To slightly reduce the sharpness of cayenne pepper, remove the entire seed before freezing.
Another equally popular way of storing red pepper pods is drying. In addition, this is the easiest way, if necessary, to extend the shelf life of a large volume of peppers. Tie the pods with the thread to the clothesline and leave for several days. Make sure the pods are not touching each other. Drying is recommended in a well-ventilated area, where there is access to sunlight.
If you do not have several days at your disposal, in order to wait for the chili to dry on its own, resort to using a gas or electric stove. Rinse the pepper in cool water, then pat it in a towel (to get rid of excess moisture). Many housewives agree that it is best to cut chili into small pieces and remove the stalks. However, this is optional.
Cover the baking sheets with parchment paper and place the chili strictly in one layer. Place the baking sheets with peppers in the oven for a few minutes. The temperature regime of the oven should be at least 50 degrees.Leave the oven door slightly open - this will allow the chili to dry evenly, rather than bake.
Store dried pods in sealed containers in dark places at room temperature. Most preferred is an ordinary glass jar with a plastic lid.
Disease and Pest Prevention
There are plenty of harmful insects ready to eat juicy fruits and leaves of cayenne pepper. The most common are scoops, aphids, whiteflies and Colorado beetles. Fortunately, for gardeners to get rid of their disastrous presence is quite simple.
As a prophylactic, wood ash is used. Once a month, shrubs are covered with a light layer of wood ash. Such a protective layer repels pests, making the plant less attractive to them.
If harmful insects have appeared and have already managed to injure the plant, you must use self-prepared deterrent tinctures (soap, onion and garlic), which are prepared according to the same principle. The main ingredient is crushed and diluted in water in a ratio of 1:10, respectively. The resulting solution is sprayed onto the affected shrubs with a spray gun.
Since, for this "burning" culture, a rather long vegetative period is characteristic, the plant is susceptible to various fungal diseases. The most common disease among all varieties of chili is late blight. Against its detrimental effect, several biological preparations that cope well with their task were invented: the Pentafag and Haupsin.
Ways to eat cayenne pepper
In the field of cooking, cayenne peppers have long been used as a spice that gives any, even the most uncomplicated, dish of piquancy and pungency:
- They are added fresh and dried to meat and vegetable dishes, sauces, marinades and salad dressings. Ground hot pepper is used for seasoning the first course, a light salad, and few people know - kefir and yogurt.
- Small pods of pepper are entirely placed in soup, stew from vegetables and pilaf. For lovers of spicy dishes, chili is added even to chocolate desserts. The main advantage of cayenne pepper is the preservation of its useful qualities even after several heat treatments.
- Shredded chili is usually used to make pasta and fish. Dried hot peppers are used to flavor table vinegar and olive oil for dressing salads.
- Since, not everyone is able to appreciate the burning severity of cayenne pepper in food, it is often added as an auxiliary ingredient to a set of spices.
With a combination of ingredients such as garlic, dried dill, bay leaves, basil and coriander, the pungency of pepper perfectly complements this fragrant ensemble. The most widely available sets of spices in which cayenne pepper is present are "Curry" and "Hops-Suneli." - The predominant amount of chili peppers can be found in Asian and Mexican cuisines. The most famous dishes in which chili pepper is one of the fundamental ingredients, Chili Con Carne (the traditional soup of all Mexicans), Adjika, beloved in our country, almost any oriental cuisine soup, pickled and stuffed peppers and classic chili sauce.
Reviews
Elena Borisovna, 35 years old, manager, Penza. Cayenne pepper is my favorite spice. Add it in dried form to all dishes. It has beneficial effects on blood and immunity. I grow it myself, it’s more useful. For many years grown in two flower pots on the windowsill. And only a year ago I decided to transplant one of them into the greenhouse. The bush has grown, and the peppers are even larger. I didn’t bring dressings, I just watered plentifully.
Irina, 54 years old, summer resident, pos. Malakhovka, Moscow region. It grows well in a greenhouse, but on an open bed cayenne pepper bushes quickly fade. In sunny weather, seedlings develop very quickly, begin to grow. You need to water a lot, almost every three days. Peppers ripen small. But I noticed that if you trim the shrub, the fruits grow more. "
Oleg, 42 years old, private entrepreneur, Yoshkar-Ola. Last year, my wife and I planted several seedlings of cayenne pepper in the corner of the greenhouse, next to the tomatoes. At first they were fed with peat fertilizer. After a couple of weeks, they grew into huge bushes and even a few red, still small peppers appeared. Transplanted into another greenhouse, the bushes adapted after some time.
Hide
Add your review
Due to the fact that this culture is completely unpretentious and undemanding in care, the reviews of gardeners and gardeners are mostly positive. Such pepper is not very difficult to grow, but it will certainly add an original touch to your dishes.