Sweet bell peppers are beautifully shaped, glossy vegetables that range in color from pale yellowish-white, yellow, and orange to purples and browns. Called “bell” because of their shape, they have a crunchy texture and mild, sweet, tangy taste. Green and purple bells have a slightly bitter flavor, while the red, orange, and yellow ones are sweeter.

The substance that controls hotness in peppers, called capsaicin, is very small in bell peppers. They are very high in vitamin C with good quantities of vitamin B6, vitamin A, folate, and fiber.