Peppers grow on a plant similar to tomatoes.

Pepper Facts

Learn fun pepper facts and general information about peppers. This page includes how peppers grow, how to choose and store them, nutrition facts, and easy pepper recipe ideas.

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Fun Pepper Facts

Peppers grow on plants, similar to tomatoes.
There are many pepper colors, including green, red, yellow, and orange.
Some peppers are sweet, while others are spicy.
Bell peppers can be chopped into salads, stuffed, grilled, baked, or cooked in main dishes.
Peppers contain helpful vitamins and other nutrients.

How Peppers Grow, Buying Tips, and Storage

When Peppers Are Available

Fresh peppers are commonly available through summer or shipped from warm growing areas.

How Do Peppers Grow?

Peppers grow on a plant like tomatoes.

What to Look for When Buying Peppers

Choose peppers with no cracks or nicks. There are many different varieties and colors of peppers.

Pepper Storage Tips

Store peppers at room temperature.

Kid Tip: Wash peppers well and ask an adult to help remove the stem and seeds before chopping.

How to Cook with Peppers

How to Use Bell Peppers

Wash the pepper and cut it open.
Remove the seeds and stem.
Chop and use peppers in salads, soups, pasta, stuffed pepper recipes, grilled dishes, or baked meals.

Cooking Tip: Bell peppers can be eaten raw or cooked, so they work in many kinds of recipes.

Bell Peppers by Color

Green bell peppers are usually less sweet and a little more crisp.

Red, yellow, and orange bell peppers are often sweeter and more colorful.

All colors can be used in salads, cooked dishes, and stuffed pepper recipes.

Food Science: Sweet vs. Hot Peppers

Why Are Some Peppers Sweet and Some Spicy?

Bell peppers are sweet peppers, while some other peppers contain natural compounds that make them taste hot or spicy.

That is why one kind of pepper can taste mild while another can feel very hot on your tongue.

Mini Activity

Pepper Color Sort

Look at peppers of different colors if you have them.
Name each color you see.
Talk about which pepper looks sweetest and which you would like to taste.
Count how many colors are in your kitchen or grocery store display.

This simple activity helps kids notice food variety and color in healthy foods.

Pepper Nutrition Facts

Bell peppers are high in vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber. Red bell peppers contain lycopene and are especially high in vitamin C. Hot peppers contain lutein, which supports healthy vision.

Bell peppers contain vitamin A.
They are high in vitamin C.
They also provide fiber.
Red bell peppers contain lycopene.
Hot peppers contain lutein.

More Food Fact Resources

Pepper Recipes

Pepper Harvest Skillet

A vegetable skillet recipe made with eggplant, bell pepper, onion, tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese.

Category: Main Dish
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Yield: Varies

Ingredients

1 medium eggplant, peeled and cut into cubes
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped small
1 medium onion, peeled and diced small
4 large ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 garlic clove, grated
1/4 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese

Directions

Heat a large heavy skillet over medium heat.
Add eggplant and oil and cook, stirring occasionally, until the eggplant starts to soften.
Add all remaining ingredients except the Parmesan cheese and stir gently.
Continue cooking until all vegetables are tender.
Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top and cook just until the cheese melts.
Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Serving Tip: This recipe works as a vegetable side dish or a simple meatless main dish.