Uses, &c. The capsicums resemble the peppers, except in their greater energy and their pungency being unmodified by the presence of essential oil. As a condiment, under the form of cayenne pepper, and in all diseases in which the employment of a powerful stimulant or rubefacient is indicated, their uses are well known. In medicine the fruit of Capsicum annuum (Linn.—Ph. E. & D.; C. fastigiatum, Blume—B. P., Ph. L.), or annual capsicum is ordered (Capsicum—Ph. L., E., & D.). The London College directs the fruit to be that of ‘Guinea,’ less than one inch long, oblong, cylindrical, and straight. See Essence of Cayenne.
Pepper, Prepared Cayenne, is the residuum of cayenne—vinegar, essence, or tincture, dried and ground (see below).
Pepper (Soluble) Cayenne. Syn. Crystallised soluble cayenne. Prep. 1. Capsicum pods (recent, ground in a pepper mill), 1 lb.; rectified spirit, 21⁄2 pints; proceed by percolation so as to obtain 21⁄2 pints; from this distil one half of the spirit by the heat of a water bath; to the residuum add of fine dry salt, 5 lbs.; mix them well together, and dry the mixture at a very gentle heat, frequently stirring; lastly rub it through a sieve, and put it into warm dry bottles. It is usually coloured with a little vermilion or rouge (sesquioxide of iron), but it possesses an agreeable colour without it,
2. Essence of cayenne (No. 1, page 652), 6 pints; distil off 3 pints, add to the residual liquor of dry salt 12 lbs.; mix well, dry by a gentle heat, and otherwise proceed as before.
3. Capsicums (ground), 3 lbs.; red sanders or Brazil wood (sliced or rasped), 10 oz.; rectified spirit, 1 gall.; macerate for 14 days, then express the tincture, filter, distil off one half, add of dry salt, 15 lbs., and proceed as before.
4. As the first formula, with the addition of a strong decoction of saffron, q. s. It gives a beautiful colour to soups, &c.
Obs. The above formulæ are those actually
employed by the houses most celebrated for their ‘soluble cayenne.’ The products are of the very finest quality, and are perfectly wholesome. We speak from an extensive experience in the manufacture. The spirit distilled from the essence forms a most suitable menstruum for making fresh essence or tincture of cayenne.
Pepper, Cu′beb. See Cubebs.
Pepper, Jamai′ca. See Pimento.