Chilli seeds (Piccante di cayenna)

Cayenne pepper chilli seeds.

This is a traditional very hot Cayenne pepper variety, with the plant producing many branches and small leaves; thin green fruits turn red once ripe. The fruits can be ground after harvesting to make Cayenne pepper. Ideal for use in 'Spaghetti alla Putanesca'. 300 seeds per pack. Sow Feb-May.

The Cayenne is a red, hot pepper that is used to flavour dishes and it is also known for its medicinal purposes. It is named after the city of Cayenne in French Guiana; it is a variant of "Capsicum annuum" so it is related to the jalapeno chilli pepper variety. Cayenne is used in cooking spicy hot dishes, as a powder or in its whole form eg in Szechuan cuisine. It is rated at up to 50,000 Scoville Units.

Most varieties of Cayenne pepper take about 3 months to produce fruits. Peppers like warm and moist soil in a warm climate. The plants grow to about 3 feet in height and should be spaced 3 feet apart. They can be kept over winter if protected from frost and require some pruning.