Bell pepper is the fruit of the capsicum plant, widely used worldwide in cooking. Bell peppers are an essential ingredient in the
Chinese and Mexican cuisine, being used for its flavor as well as for the color it gives to dishes. In many countries bell peppers are simply called peppers and in several countries like Hungary, they are called
paprika. Bell peppers come in different colors, usually green, red, yellow and orange, but there are some varieties that come in white, purple, brown and even blue, depending on when they are harvested. Green bell peppers are unripe bell peppers whereas red, yellow and orange are ripe ones. Red, yellow and orange bell peppers are sweeter and a bit hotter in taste than green bell peppers. They are also more expensive that green bell peppers.
Bell peppers are available worldwide, all year round in supermarkets.