Bell Pepper

Species: Capsicum annuum | Origin: Mexico | Pungency: Heat-Free

Bell Pepper, also known as 'Capsicum' and 'Sweet Pepper', is the blocky-shaped fruit of plants in the Grossum cultivar group of the Capsicum annuum species. It is one of only a few members of the Capsicum genus that doesn't produce capsaicin, the chemical responsible for making chilli peppers spicy. Immature fruits are green, lilac or ivory in colour, and ripen to purple, brown, red, orange, yellow or pale creamy yellow, although red, orange and yellow are the most common colours. Some people are of the misconception that yellow and orange bell peppers are peppers that have been harvested before being allowed to ripen fully to red, but of course, this is incorrect. Just like chilli peppers, there are also many colour variants of Bell Pepper.

Green Bell Peppers sold at the supermarket or grocery store are immature fruits that have been harvested before the ripening process has taken place, although there are supposedly a couple of evergreen varieties in existence which retain most of their green colour even when fully ripe, as is the case with some chilli pepper varieties, such as 7-Pot Evergreen. The lilac or purple colour of most purple Bell Pepper varieties is typically the immature colour, and if left on the plants to fully ripen the fruit will eventually turn red, orange or yellow. This is also the case with some chilli pepper varieties, such as Filius Blue. However, some purple Bell Pepper varieties start green and ripen through white before developing purple coloured stripes which eventually merge together and cover the entire fruit.

Bell Peppers are popular in many cuisines around the world and are commonly used in stir fries, salads, salsas, sauces, soups, stews and casseroles. They're great for adding colour and flavour to sauces, soups and salads. Just like Rocoto Peppers from South America, Bell Peppers are often stuffed with a multitude of different ingredients, topped with grated cheese and then baked in the oven.

Page published on: 14th September 2021