What Is the Difference Between Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red Bell Peppers?

Well, “firstly, all bell peppers have a somewhat similar nutrient profile regardless of their colour.

However, the main point that some people don’t realize is that every colour of bell pepper comes from the same plant. The colour just represents different stages of ripeness.

For example, a green bell pepper is simply one that has been picked from the plant before reaching maturity. In contrast, red bell pepper is at the final stage of maturity.

Since red bell peppers have the longest time to develop, they tend to have a better nutrient profile and sweetness level.

Studies that have looked at the nutritional differences show that vitamin C slightly increases depending on the maturity stage from green to yellow and orange to red.

Likewise, the carotenoid content of red bell peppers is significantly higher than in other colours. Based on research that has analysed the exact amounts, red bell peppers may contain anywhere from two to nine times more carotenoids than green/yellow bell peppers.

So to re-cap, different coloured bell peppers are all from the same plant, but they become slightly sweeter and more nutritious as they ripen. Red is the final stage of maturity.

How To Use Bell Peppers
Bell peppers taste delicious however you eat them, and they are quite versatile too. These crunchy peppers can be eaten raw, where their sweetness and crunchy texture dominates. But they also work well in various dishes and recipes.

Stuffed Peppers With Beef and Cheese

Here are a few of the best ways to eat bell peppers:
Eat them raw: just cut the bell pepper in half, remove the seeds, wash it, and then eat.

Stuffed bell pepper “boats”: Cut a large bell pepper in half, add your preferred source of meat/protein, vegetables, and perhaps some cheese on top. Then bake in the oven until ready: the finished version should look similar to the above.

Stir-fry: make a stir-fry using long-sliced bell peppers, beansprouts, mushrooms, snow peas, and baby corn. This common ingredient mix works well with some soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Add meat if desired.

Bell peppers come in all different colours and sizes, and they are all nutrient-rich options.

For those looking to maximize their nutritional benefits, the red varieties contain the most nutrients.

Bell peppers provide substantial amounts of vitamin C, and they may offer further benefits through its provision of carotenoids and polyphenols. As a bonus, bell peppers offer all these nutrients for very few calories, and they taste delicious too. Read more about peppers including research links here

Some other pepper recipes

Feta Cheese Stuffed Bell Peppers – see here