Tasting sweet with slightly spicy sensation, Capsicum annuum L. or bell pepper comes from the eggplant family and originates from Mexico, North America. Bell peppers come in a variety of colors: red, yellow, green and even black. These color differences are due to the harvest time and level of maturity. The bell pepper tree usually grows 1.5 meters high. The peppers it produces are not seasonal. As a result of its high adaptability to different climates, bell peppers can be found in various parts of the world.

There are many benefits to consuming the food. It contains a lot of vitamin C, which is good for the immune system. Bell pepper also contains capsaicin, which is useful for lowering cholesterol and diabetes and relieving pain. It also contains vitamin K, which facilitates the blood coagulation process while preventing osteoporosis.

This leaves but one question: Is the bell pepper a fruit or a vegetable?

Here we are going to discuss a little bit more about bell pepper varieties:

Red Bell Pepper
The red bell pepper is more ripe and sweeter than other bell peppers. It has a higher water content as well. Its flesh is soft and it is the most complete in term of vitamin content because of its perfectly ripe state.

Green Bell Pepper
The green bell pepper is often considered the most raw because it is picked long before the harvest period. It has a very low water content. Although sweet, there is an unpleasant aroma in the flesh. As it is not quite ripe, the vitamin content is also relatively low.

Yellow Bell Pepper
Harvested at the midpoint of the harvest period, it tastes sweeter than green peppers. Because of the color, it is perfect for salad mixes. It is often said to be the in-between bell pepper, because the level of maturity and taste fall between those of green peppers and red peppers.

Purple Bell Pepper
This is the most sought after bell pepper because it has a sweet taste, similar to red peppers. The meat is soft and contains a lot of water. It can be eaten directly or cooked first.

Orange Bell Pepper
The texture of the flesh is crispy and it contains a lot of water because it is harvested one step before it is fully ripe. Because it is almost ripe, the vitamin content is fairly complete.

Black Bell Pepper
The black bell pepper is high in antioxidants and thus good for protecting body cells from damage. The shape tends to be more rounded and larger compared to other bell peppers. These bell pepper are fully ripe, so they don’t last long.

White Bell Pepper
Elongated, the white bell pepper is rich in fiber, meaning it is good for improving digestion. The carotene content in it is enough to provide antioxidants. The flesh is crispy and sweet, perfect for eating raw.

Do you know that bell pepper is know as the healthiest food in the world?