To be fair, “cayenne” actually describes a group of hot pepper varieties in the C. annuum species. Cayenne peppers range from long and curly, to short and straight, and many in between.

It's important to note that while chili peppers offer potential health benefits, individual responses to spicy foods can vary. Some people may experience digestive discomfort or irritation from consuming chili peppers, particularly in large amounts. As with any dietary component, it's best to consume chili peppers in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

When substituting, use common sense. Cayenne pepper is as much as 50 times hotter than sweet paprika, so a 1:1 substitution wouldn't work unless you want some heat—the right substitution, in this case, would be 1/3 of a teaspoon of cayenne per 1 teaspoon of paprika. Make an informed decision, but also use thorough recipes that might suggest reasonable substitutions.

Some common types of chili peppers include:

Like many spices, cayenne and paprika may offer a range of health benefits. Both are loaded with nutrients and may have other healing qualities, too. And if you are wondering, is it worth buying organic spices— in order to have the highest quality and healthiest spices, it just might be.

Best for soups, stews, Mediterranean salads, hummus, and sauces.