Capsicum annuum 'Cayenne Long' (Hot Pepper)

Cayenne Long is the classic heat pepper that belongs in every kitchen garden where serious cooking happens. The long, slender fruits grow 4 to 6 inches and ripen from green to a brilliant, glossy red, tapering to a slightly curved point with lightly rippled skin that gives them the characteristic cayenne silhouette. The heat level runs 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville units. The flavor underneath the heat is bright and fruity.

The plants are vigorous and highly productive, typically reaching 2 feet tall and setting fruit in abundance throughout the warm season. Few plants reward the kitchen gardener more generously than a well-grown cayenne.

Drying cayenne peppers is simple and satisfying. Thread them on a string and hang them in a warm, airy spot until fully dried, then crush or grind as needed. The dried whole pods hold their heat and flavor for over a year.