Different Types & Varieties of Bell Peppers (With Names and Pictures)

I’ve always had a soft spot for the colorful, crunchy world of bell peppers. It’s magical to watch these vibrant veggies grow in the garden. They’re like little treasures waiting to be found. If you’re thinking about diving into bell pepper gardening, you’re in for a treat. 

Let me share my journey with these rainbow-hued veggies. I’ve learned a lot. I love some varieties. They have made my cooking a kaleidoscope of flavors.

Where Do Bell Peppers Come From?

Before I dig into the juicy details of growing and using bell peppers, let’s take a little detour through history. These little garden gems originally hail from Mesoamerica, over 7,000 years ago. Can you imagine? The peppers back then were nothing like what we see today. The Aztecs called them chili—which, honestly, makes sense given their cultural importance. 

Then came Christopher Columbus. In 1493, on a spice hunt, he stumbled upon these colorful wonders. Europe, with its bland diets, welcomed peppers with open arms. They mistook the spicy fruits for black pepper, and the name “pepper” stuck, though bell peppers and table pepper aren’t even cousins.

Fast forward a bit, and by the 1900s, our modern bell pepper was still in its rebellious teenage phase. Bell peppers back then had thin walls and a noisy interior. You could hear the seeds rattling in the wind—no wonder they got their “bell” moniker! It wasn’t until 1908, when a genius named Gregor Carillon bred the first quiet bell pepper, that the ones we know and love today became mainstream.

The Sweet vs. Spicy Debate

Bell peppers come in all shapes and sizes, but there’s one key thing you need to know: they’re sweet. Like, totally sweet. Bell peppers are the only Capsicum family members with zero capsaicin. It’s the compound that makes other peppers hot enough to blow steam from your ears. So, if you’re looking for a pepper with a little zing, you’ll need to step outside the bell pepper realm.

But don’t worry, there are plenty of sweet peppers that come with a side of heat. Think of varieties like banana, pimento, or pepperoncini. They sit in the middle of the heat spectrum. They have enough spice to be interesting, but not enough to need a fire extinguisher at the table.

The Rainbow of Bell Pepper Varieties

Now let’s get into the real heart of the matter—bell pepper varieties. One of the things I love about these veggies is their versatility in the kitchen and garden. Whether you’re tossing them into a salad or roasting them for a hearty side dish, there’s always the perfect pepper for the occasion.

Here’s a little table I created to showcase the different bell pepper varieties, along with their flavor profiles and colors.

Variety	Color	Flavor Profile	Other Notes
California Wonder	Green (ripens to red)	Classic bell pepper flavor, crisp	A garden staple, perfect for picking early or fully ripe
Candy Apple	Green (ripens to red)	Exceptionally sweet, even when green	Burpee hybrid, known for its intense sweetness
Chocolate Beauty	Green to chocolate brown	Sweet with a slight earthy undertone	Thick-walled, maturing in about 70 days
Purple Beauty	Deep purple	Mild, crisp with a hint of bitterness	Great for adding color to dishes, often used in salads
Touchdown	Green to red	Milder than others, thick-walled	Quick to mature, disease-resistant
Islander	Purple to red	Sweet and slightly fruity	Can be picked at various stages, from purple to red
Sweet Sunrise	Dark green to yellow	Bright, fruity, and sweet	Ideal for raw or cooked dishes, high yielding

When I first started growing bell peppers, I was floored by how green all the varieties looked at the beginning. I didn’t know that those green peppers would turn stunning red, yellow, and orange shades if I left them on the vine a little longer. And boy, do they get sweeter with time. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve cut into a freshly ripened red bell pepper and thought, “This could be dessert!”

Here’s a little tip I’ve picked up: Green peppers tend to have a longer shelf life since they’re picked earlier. But they’re also less nutrient-dense compared to their more mature, colorful counterparts. The longer you leave them on the vine, the more nutrients they pack.

Sweet or Spicy? There’s a Bell Pepper for That

All bell peppers are sweet, but some varieties stand out for their sugary, almost candy-like flavors. My personal favorites for snacking and adding a little sweetness to dishes are:

• Candy Apple – As the name suggests, this one’s almost too sweet to believe!
• Cupid Bell – These snack-sized peppers are adorable and pack a punch of sweetness when fully ripened.
• Sweet Sunrise – With its bright yellow-orange hue, this one’s as fruity as it looks.

If you want peppers with a kick, skip bell peppers. Try banana, cherry, or spicy paprika peppers instead. Trust me, they’re game changers in the kitchen when you want to add a touch of heat without going full jalapeño.

Bell Peppers: A Nutritional Powerhouse

Not only are bell peppers a feast for the eyes, but they’re also superstars in the nutrition department. Each color of bell pepper brings its own set of benefits to the table:

Color	Nutritional Highlights	Flavor Profile
Green	High in Vitamin C, slightly bitter	Crisp and mildly bitter
Yellow	Rich in antioxidants and Vitamin C	Sweet and subtle
Orange	Loaded with Vitamin A and Vitamin C	Fruity and sweet
Red	Highest in sweetness, full of antioxidants	Sweetest and richest in flavor

The Curious Case of the “Blue” Bell Pepper

So, I fell down a rabbit hole once, trying to hunt down this mysterious “blue” bell pepper I kept hearing about. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t really exist. You’ll find plenty of photos online of bell peppers in vibrant blue shades, but most of them are just photoshopped or mislabeled. 

I did come across a variety called Blue Jay that shifts from purple to orange to red, but it’s a far cry from the striking blue peppers of my imagination.

However, if you’re up for a fun pepper-growing challenge, try hunting down the Filius Blue Pepper. While not technically a bell pepper, it’s a stunning sweet variety with a beautiful purple hue.

Final Thoughts: Why Bell Peppers Deserve a Spot in Your Garden

In conclusion, bell peppers are the gift that keeps on giving. They’re easy to grow, add a splash of color to your garden, and bring a world of flavor to your dishes. Whether you’re after something sweet, crisp, or a little spicy, there’s a bell pepper for you. Plus, they’re low in calories, high in nutrients, and a fantastic source of antioxidants.

So, if you haven’t already, it’s time to give these colorful gems a chance to shine in your garden and your kitchen. I promise, you won’t regret it!