CAYENNE/CHILLI

[tim]

Can you differentiate between Cayenne & gound Chilli?

[Duke Ellington]

Chilli powder is a mix of cayenne sometimes coriander and cumin or other spices. Cayenne powder is ground chilli, nothing else added.

[tim]

Aha! Who mentioned Chilli Powder - the Mexican etc mix?

[Duke Ellington]

In my own humble opinion ....

Chilli is the generic term used for peppers so this could be hot or sweet peppers. Cayenne is specific and used when referring to hot peppers. All are members of the capsicum family.

This is the what I thought you were referring to

 

This is usually mixed with other spices.

Duke

[tim]

So astute - but in my old fashioned way, I still see Chillies as hot & Capsicum/Peppere as not.

So - Cayenne V ground HOT Chillies - can you tell??

[Jayb]

Both blooming hot! Though it would depend on how hot according to variety?

[tim]

Indeed!

Reason for asking is that with no 'Cayenne', I ground up Chilli Flakes. Not gourmet enough to tell the difference.

[Jayb]

I would not think there is any difference, but your dish will proably taste even nicer cos you have used freshly ground chillies! What lovely dish are you making?

You started me thinking and as far as I understand it, cayenne powder is just chili powder made with cayenne peppers. Your chili flakes (if they were shop bought) could well have been Cayenne peppers. Chili powder could be made from cayenne peppers, but also from other types and possibly a blend of chili types. I think there is also what would be used more in American cooking as Duke also mentioned.
Try this it explains far better than I can http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chili_powder

[tim]

Why didn't I think of that before?

Out come my Anchoes & Pasillas & in a moment we'll have a lovely powder for Jalapeno type things.

Dish? 'Twas just a general question - but I use Chilli in a lot of dishes. Even things like Cauliflower Cheese.

[tim]

Or this, tonight?

Difficult to focus upon!

[Jeannine]

To me.. chilli powder should be pure  chilli and described as ground chilli, named types on packet, many to choose from. The stuff sold often as chilli powder has all sorts mixed in so you have to look at the writing. I hate that stuff. I grow various chillies and dry then grind them  and often mix them together. I  do grow a paprika one which I dry seperatley  though as it is sweet but with a little warmth,great in goulash or paprikash. I keep jalapenos for the jelly I make with them.

XX Jeannine

PS I view peppers as sweet and chillies as hot..but with mu US catalogue in hand it says..

Peppers sweet
Peppers hot

[valmarg]

I have both chilli powder and cayenne pepper in my storecupboard.

I use chilli powder when a recipe calls for it, and cayenne pepper when called for.

If I'm really, really honest, I can't tell t'other from which.

valmarg

[tim]

Oh, dear!!

Meant to intercept that Jalapeno thing - Jambalaya!!

[Jayb]

Jambalaya-delish

Or this, tonight?
Difficult to focus upon!

Looks scrummy, quite yellow?

[tim]

Because of the egg yolk & mustard??

[Jayb]

I didn't wish to presume, on this occasion 

[tim]

Presume away - that's the fun of the fair!

[PurpleHeather]

They do get less hot as they get older.

If you do not want to waste any which are too hot....Leave them in the back of the cupboard for a few years.

(that was a joke, before some one starts)

I have already noticed that the chillis I chopped and froze last harvest are not as hot as they were when fresh.