Is cayenne pepper a base or an acid?

Cayenne pepper is an acid. It contains a high concentration of capsaicin, which is a compound that gives chili peppers their spicy flavor. Capsaicin is an alkaloid, which is a type of organic compound that contains nitrogen. Alkaloids are typically basic, but capsaicin is an exception. It is a weak acid that can donate a hydrogen ion (H+) in water.