Pepper of the Month: Golden Cayenne (Recipe Below)

Listen, this is a star, quit playing in our faces! cause baybee, This Golden Cayenne is everything. I know your used to the regular old red cayenne pepper (it has its place but not here) and you’re thinking about that raggedy arse hot sauce that shall remain nameless, that's in everybody cupboard cause they don't know no better. Mine too..  but mind ya business, that's not what we here for. This is different! The Golden Cayenne has this bright fruity flavor that will up your fish, your taco’s, and your salsa game to another level!

Think of it like you’re walking around in your life and it’s black and white, and in walks this vibrant thing, and yes, Q-Tips Vivrant thing is playing in my head, Stop playing with this big body Benz! I was out in them streets OKAY! I almost dropped it on this office floor I got so excited, but yall wouldn't have no blog then cause they would be picking my big ass up off this floor and loadin me into the ambulance. I left my knees back in 93. Anyways, If you don’t know it, do yourself a favor and google it, take a listen while reading. 

I digress, ADHD is real yall, but whether you’re a chili head, a gardener, or you just like your food with a bit of stank on it, a little bit of oomph, a lil somethin, somethin. This is it! I love to host game nights, and cook outs, just get togethers in general, where wine and food is the star. Speaking of wine, a nice fruity Moscato might pair well here. I digress again, hush and keep reading, When I go places and bring something a lil different here and there, it usually ends up having somebody breathing down my neck about bringing some more, speaking of breathing down my neck, if you been drinking and talking ALLLL day.. BACK THEE HELL UP!! Your breath is hot, I promise! anyways, expand your horizon and get in on this man! Let me give you the deets on this baby.. 

🧬 Quick Facts
•    Scoville Heat Units (SHU): 30,000–50,000 (way less hot than a habanero)
•    Flavor Profile: Bright, citrusy, slightly smoky when dried
•    Color: Vibrant yellow to golden orange when fully ripe
•    Plant Habit: Bushy, productive, perfect for containers or garden beds
•    Days to Maturity: 70–85 from transplant
 
🪴 Why Grow Golden Cayenne?
I’ve literally already told you why you should grow it, but let’s get real. It grows well as an ornamental, meaning in a pot, that way you won’t be overloaded but will have a steady supply for stir fry’s, a quick fresh peach salsa, even a pretty garnish around the edge of a salad, just lay them on there whole, around the edge of a big salad for a party and you know those folks that like banana peppers?Whoever wants one will grab it and This is a great alternative for them to grab with a better flavor and similar heat.

They’re also disease resistant, I grow several of them a year, and let me tell you—these plants worked overtime. I was picking peppers every few days once they hit their stride. They’re also great for dehydrating, fermenting, or and of course fresh, you can also freeze them for later.

TIP: Dehydrate this baby, and some sweet peppers, pulse blend and have your own fresh pepper flakes to use with a nice flavor and not too much heat. Just give this plant plenty of sunlight and water, and it’ll reward you with a golden bounty. It also does amazingly well in aquaponics!
 
🔥 Heat with a Halo
All that being said, this is still a hot pepper, don’t let the pretty drawls it got on fool you. Golden Cayenne brings the perfect amount of heat. It’s milder than a habanero but a little hotter than a jalapeño. Perfect for folks who like their food to flirt with fire but not torch their tongues.

One of my favorite ways to use it is in a citrus-forward hot sauce that’s mellowed with peach or pineapple. The yellow color makes it look like liquid gold in a bottle.
 
🍽️ Golden Cayenne Hot Sauce (Small Batch)
Ingredients:
•    10 Golden Cayenne peppers, chopped
•    1/2 cup white or apple cider vinegar
•    1/4 cup chopped peach (or mango)
•    1 clove garlic
•    Juice of half a lime
•    Pinch of salt
•    Optional: 1 tsp honey for a touch of sweetness
Instructions:
1.    Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth.
2.    Pour into a saucepan, simmer for 10–15 minutes.
3.    Cool, strain if you prefer a smoother sauce, and bottle.
4.    Store in fridge (or hot-fill and bottle for shelf stability if you’re licensed).
 
🛠️ Growing Tips
•    Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before your last frost date. In Pittsburgh (Zone 6b), that’s around mid-February.
•    Transplant after danger of frost has passed—usually late May to early June.
•    Loves heat and full sun. The more sunshine, the better the yield.
•    Add compost or a balanced fertilizer every few weeks for maximum production.
•    Stake your plants if they get top-heavy. Trust me, they will.
 
🌱 Want to Grow Your Own?
I’ve got Golden Cayenne seeds in the shop . Every packet supports my small urban farm in Pittsburgh, where I grow over 100 pepper varieties and teach folks how to grow their own food—even in tight city spaces.
Follow along for growing tips, pepper stories, and fiery recipes on Instagram @thehoodgarden
 
🌶️ In a Nutshell
The Golden Cayenne is a spicy, stunning, and surprisingly versatile pepper. Whether you’re making sauces, drying for flakes, or just admiring its beauty in your garden, this pepper brings the heat—and the joy.
Next up: Stay tuned for August’s Pepper of the Month. (Hint: It’s small, sweet, and sneaky.)