Red chillies. Two sliced red hot chillies Capsicum annuum. Chillies are used for culinary purposes and for seasonings. They are used widely through- out the tropics, particularly in India, where they are a hot ingredient of curry powder. In its dried powdered form, red chillies constitute red or cayenne pepper. They can be pickled. Pepper sauce, such as tabasco, is made by pickling the pulp in strong vinegar or brine. Extracts of chillies are also used in the manufacture of ginger beer and other beverages.