The main difference between cayenne pepper and chili powder is that cayenne pepper is hotter than chili powder – in fact, cayenne pepper powder is about eight times hotter than chili powder.
Cayenne pepper and chili powder are two spices that add heat to any dish. Cayenne pepper is a type of pepper closely related to bell peppers and jalapeños. It is a moderately hot pepper, mostly used in its ground form. Chili powder is a red-colored mix of spices that contain one or more varieties of red chili peppers, with the addition of spices like garlic, cumin and oregano.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Cayenne Pepper Powder
– Definition, Hotness, Uses
2. What is Chili Powder
– Definition, Content, Uses
3. What is the Difference Between Cayenne Pepper and Chili Powder
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Cayenne Pepper, Chili Powder, Pepper
What is Cayenne Pepper Powder
Cayenne pepper is a type of Capsicum annuum, and closely related to bell peppers and jalapeños. Obtained from a sub-tropical to tropical plant native to South America, these peppers are 10 to 25 cm long, skinny, and bright red-colored. They have a tapering shape, a curved tip and somewhat rippled skin. The name Cayenne comes from the city of Cayenne in French Guinea, from where the pepper originates (the first documented uses).
The Cayenne fruits (peppers) are generally dried and ground to make the powdered Cayenne powder. In fact, cayenne pepper is mostly available on the market as a finely ground powder. Cayenne pepper is a staple in Mexican, Creole and Cajun cuisines. Cayenne pepper powder is also used in Indian, Korean, Sichuan, and other Asian cuisines.
Figure 1: Cayenne Peppers
Cayenne pepper powder is made from hot peppers you can use in most spicy recipes. The spiciness comes from their active ingredient, capsaicin. They are considered as moderately hot peppers and have a value fluctuating between 30,000 – 50,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) on the Scoville Scale. Moreover, Cayenne peppers are about ten times hotter than jalapeno peppers. If you are using Cayenne as a condiment, make sure to use it sparingly, especially if you can’t handle spicy food.
What is Chili Powder
Chili powder is a hot-tasting, red-colored blend of spices. As its name suggests, the main spice in a chili powder blend is chili peppers. They can contain one or more varieties of chili peppers, and sometimes with the addition of other spices like oregano, cumin and garlic powder. This type of chili powder is sometimes known as chili seasoning mix or chili powder blend. The chilies used in chili powder is usually red chili peppers. Some hot chili powder varieties may also include cayenne peppers. Moreover, the spiciness of chili powder will depend on the blend of spices and peppers used.
Figure 2: Chili Powder
Many different cuisines use chili powder, some of these cuisines include American (especially Tex-Mex), Mexican, Indian, Thai, Chinese and Korean. Chili powder blend is the main flavor in American chili con carne.
Difference Between Cayenne Pepper and Chili Powder
Definition
Cayenne pepper powder is a hot chili powder made specifically of Cayenne pepper, which belongs to the Capsicum family. Meanwhile, chili powder is a hot-tasting spice made from ground dried red chili peppers, sometimes added with other spices.
Hotness
Cayenne pepper is about eight times hotter than chili powder.
Content
Moreover, cayenne pepper powder only contains cayenne pepper while chili powder can contain one or more varieties of chili peppers, sometimes with the addition of other spices like oregano, cumin and garlic powder.
Conclusion
Cayenne pepper is a type of pepper closely related to bell peppers and jalapeños. It is a moderately hot pepper, mostly used in its ground form. Chili powder is a red-colored mix of spices that contain one or more varieties of red chili peppers, and spices such as garlic, cumin and oregano. The main difference between cayenne pepper and chili powder is their hotness. Cayenne pepper powder is about eight times hotter than chili powder.
Reference:
1. “Cayenne Pepper.” The Epicentre, 21 Mar. 2020, Available here.
2. “Alfaro, Danilo. “Learn What Goes Into Chili Powder.” The Spruce Eats, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Cayenne pepper (Tatashi in Hausa language)” By GodwinPaya – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Chili Spice Chili Powder Free Photo” (CC0) via Needpix.com
