Cayenne Pepper
According to Jack Staub in his book 75 Exciting Vegetables for Your Garden hot peppers are not even peppers, they are actually a member of the capsicum family which makes their fruit technically a berry. The hot pepper is a native of the Americas and like many other items in his fiasco of a career Columbus is credited with incorrectly naming these spicy treats.
The American Medical Association (AMA) has long recognized the medicinal benefits of the cayenne pepper. Dried cayenne is a perfect remedy for a sore throat. Next time your throat is irritated try a pinch of cayenne with some honey in a hot tea. The hot pepper has long been used for its pain relieving properties and the rumor is that a teaspoon of dried pepper in hot water will stop a heart attack. I have no desire to find out how true this is but it is certainly good to know.
These tasty peppers are also high in Vitamins A, B complex and C. They are also a source of calcium and potassium and are extremely helpful in assisting in your digestive tract. Pickle them, dry them, eat them fresh, enjoy your cayenne pepper!
I am growing cayenne peppers and have no idea how to harvest them. Some of them dry and shrivel on the vine, others that I pick dry up and shrivel just hte same, and those I put in the refrigerator do the same. Show, I can only assume that is what they are suppose to do. I can eat them at any stage, right. Should I use my dehydrator? What do I do to ensure their freshness?
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