Skip To Content Primary Navigation Secondary Navigation
Nature Fresh Farms Logo Nature Fresh Farms Logo

Naturefresh Logo

  • Products
    • Organics
    • Tomatoes
    • Peppers
    • Cucumbers
    • Strawberries
  • Recipes
    • Tomato Recipes
    • Pepper Recipes
    • Cucumber Recipes
  • Learn
    • Educator Resources
    • Greenhouse Education Center
    • Eating Healthy 101
    • In The Kitchen
    • Discovery Center
  • Blog
  • About
    • The Grow-To People
    • Peter Quiring
    • Food Safety
    • Building Partnerships
  • Sustainable Growing
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • Sustainable Growing
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • Products
    • Organics
    • Tomatoes
    • Peppers
    • Cucumbers
    • Strawberries
  • Recipes
    • Tomato Recipes
    • Pepper Recipes
    • Cucumber Recipes
  • Learn
    • Educator Resources
    • Greenhouse Education Center
    • Eating Healthy 101
    • In The Kitchen
    • Discovery Center
  • Blog
  • About
    • The Grow-To People
    • Peter Quiring
    • Food Safety
    • Building Partnerships

Bell Pepper FAQs: Your Top 10 Questions Answered

Every day, people ask us dozens of questions about the food that we grow in our greenhouses. This month, we decided to answer your most hard-pressing questions about Bell Peppers. Our experts delivered with top-notch answers to questions about Bell Pepper health benefits, color, storage, and growth!

Most Frequently Asked Questions About Bell Peppers

What are the health benefits of eating Bell Peppers?

Red, Orange, and Yellow Bell Peppers are full of great health benefits—they’re packed with vitamins and low in calories! They are an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium. Bell Peppers also contain a healthy dose of fiber, folate, and iron.

Along with being full of nutrients, Bell Peppers deliver a satisfying and low-calorie crunch with every bite. Try eating snappy Bell Peppers instead of high-calorie chips and crackers with dips like hummus or salsa!

Red, orange, and yellow Bell Peppers on a cutting board

Why are Bell Peppers different colors?

Even in nature, Bell Peppers change from Green to their destined color as they ripen. This is because, just like with Tomatoes or Cucumbers, there are many different varieties of Bell Peppers. Some varieties turn from Green to Red, others turn from Green to Orange, and still others change from Green to Yellow. The most popular colors are Red, Orange, and Yellow, but there are even Purple Bell Peppers out there!

At NatureFresh™, we use over five different varieties of Bell Pepper seeds to produce Red, Orange, and Yellow Bell Peppers. The most popular color of Bell Pepper that we grow is Red; however, the Orange Bell Pepper varieties that we grow are widely considered to be our sweetest!

Are Green Bell Peppers really just unripe Red Bell Peppers?

Some of them, yes. But some of them could be unripe Orange or Yellow Bell Peppers! A Green Bell Pepper is a prematurely picked Bell Pepper of any variety. This means that there is no such thing as a Green Bell Pepper variety!

By being prematurely picked, Green Bell Peppers do not receive all the natural sugars that a Pepper would normally get from the ripening process. This is why Green Bell Peppers have a more bitter taste compared to Red, Orange, or Yellow Bell Peppers – they are picked before they can start to get sweet!

Red Bell Peppers growing on plants

Which color of Bell Pepper is the healthiest?

Red, Orange, and Yellow Bell Peppers have very similar health benefits to one another. Even though they are different colors, they all have similar amounts of vitamin A and vitamin C in them. Red Bell Peppers also contain lycopene, an antioxidant or carotenoid that helps fight free radicals in your body. Learn more about lycopene and its amazing health benefits here. Yellow and Orange Bell Peppers are also rich in carotenoids.

One thing to note is that all three colors of Bell Peppers that we grow have substantially more nutritional value than Green Bell Peppers – this is because Green Bell Peppers are picked before the ripening process is complete and all the nutrients and natural sugars enter the Pepper.

How long does it take for Bell Pepper plants to grow?

Just like Tomatoes and Cucumbers, growing Bell Peppers in a greenhouse is very different than growing them in a garden.

From planting to harvest, it takes about 12 weeks for our first batch of Bell Peppers to grow in the greenhouse. This is a longer period of time than you would see in a garden setting, but the difference is that while a Bell Pepper plant in a garden will only bear a handful of Peppers, a Bell Pepper plant in a greenhouse will produce roughly forty Bell Peppers in one season!

With a longer growing season and perfect climate, greenhouse-grown Bell Pepper plants will yield substantially more Bell Peppers than garden-grown plants.

View down a planting row in a greenhouse

How do you know when Bell Peppers are ready to pick?

You know that a Bell Pepper is ready to pick when it has ripened to full color. This means that there is minimal to no green color left on the skin of the Bell Pepper.

By letting a Bell Pepper ripen fully, you are also getting all the nutritional benefits from it! That is exactly why we pick all our Bell Peppers (and Tomatoes and Cucumbers, for that matter) when they are fully vine-ripened – we want to make sure that you and your family are getting all the health benefits you possibly can from the food you eat!

What should I look for when choosing a Bell Pepper?

When choosing a Bell Pepper, you want to find one without any sunburn spots, shriveling, or signs of decay (basically, if a Pepper looks like it is on its ‘last leg’, you may want to pass on it). A common misconception is that scarring is a bad defect, but scarring does not affect the quality, flavor, or freshness of Peppers!

Many people think that Bell Peppers with two or three lobes aren’t as good – this is also false! If the Bell Pepper doesn’t have the above-mentioned defects, a two or three lobe Pepper is just as healthy and nutritious a choice as a four lobe Pepper.

It’s important to think about what you’re using your Bell Peppers for when choosing them at the grocery store. If you are cutting them up for a salad, you don’t need a pristine-looking Pepper. However, if you’re using them to cook Stuffed Peppers, a four lobe Pepper is your best bet.

Top down view of Yellow Bell Peppers in storage crates

Do Bell Peppers need to be refrigerated?

Yes – as soon as you bring your Bell Peppers home, make sure you put them in one of your fridge’s crisper drawers. Your raw Bell Peppers will last between one and two weeks in your fridge – just make sure you store them dry!

Cut Bell Peppers will not last as long – about two to three days. Make sure you only cut your Bell Peppers as you need them to keep them at their freshest (and to decrease the potential for food waste in your kitchen)!

For more storage tips about Bell Peppers and the other produce that we grow (including Tomatoes and Cucumbers), see our Veggie Storage Guide!

What are some of the best ways to enjoy or prepare Bell Peppers?

Bell Peppers are extremely versatile – you can enjoy them grilled, sautéed, in soups or sauces, and even raw! Don’t limit yourself to eating Green or Red Bell Peppers, which are the most commonly eaten colors. Orange and Yellow Bell Peppers are just as sweet and provide a fun splash of color to any meal or snack!

Everyone knows that Stuffed Bell Peppers are a delicious meal option, but don’t limit yourself to just stuffing them – Bell Peppers can be a fun addition to so many other great recipes. Try something different like our Bell Pepper Lentil Dip or Red Bell Pepper Coulis Crepes. Get creative and take advantage of the versatility of this superfood!

Make sure you check out these 12 Unique Ways to Prepare Peppers for more great inspiration!

Bell Pepper dip on a plate with cucumbers

Are Bell Peppers vegetables or fruits?

Along with Tomatoes and Cucumbers, Bell Peppers are one of those foods that are always contentious – are they a fruit or a veggie? Although they are commonly considered a vegetable, Bell Peppers are technically fruits because they contain seeds!

When people think of fruits, they almost always think of apples, oranges, pears, or peaches – this is because a common misconception is that fruits only grow on trees. But a fruit is any produce item that has seeds! So, since Bell Peppers have seeds, they are technically fruits.

Find more produce facts by reading our frequently asked questions about Tomatoes and Cucumbers.

2018/04/25

  • Healthy Lifestyles icon Healthy Lifestyles
  • How We Grow icon How We Grow
  • The Grow-To People
  • The Kitchen icon The Kitchen
View all posts tagged with Bell Peppers Bell Peppers View all posts tagged with Greenhouse Growing Greenhouse Growing View all posts tagged with Growing Growing View all posts tagged with Recipes Recipes View all posts tagged with Storage Storage
Photo of Nature Fresh Farms

Nature Fresh Farms

  • Email
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube

Snack smarter with our guide to snacking healthy on-the-go!

Our guide includes healthy eating tips, delicious recipes, and inspiration from our community.

Get the guide

Categories

  • The Kitchen icon The Kitchen
  • Newsroom icon Newsroom
  • How We Grow icon How We Grow
  • Healthy Lifestyles icon Healthy Lifestyles
  • Community icon Community
  • Green In The City icon Green In The City
  • The Grow-To People
  • Uncategorized icon Uncategorized
  • The Bug Brigade icon The Bug Brigade

Tags

Tomatoes, Greenhouse Grown, Healthy Eating, Bell Peppers, Cucumbers, Sustainability, Grow To People, Community, Education, Innovation, GreenInTheCity, Fresh Produce

Authors

  • Nature Fresh Farms
  • Noelle Martin
  • Molly DeGrandchamp
  • Brittany MacAulay
  • Bryn B. & Dana C.
  • Adam Mefrakis
  • Lindsay Fager
  • Marcos Diaz
  • Herman Fehr
  • Cole Burkholder
  • Hailey Quigley
  • Noah Mefrakis
  • Gluten Intolerance Group
  • Mitch Monaco
  • Jacy Brydges
  • The Produce Nerd
  • Danielle Ferreira
  • The Produce Mom
  • Tina Friesen
  • Tyler St. Pierre
  • Bryn Parent
  • Zak Braun
  • Cam Lyons
  • Chef Zach Lightfoot
  • Chris Veillon
  • Stephanie Mastronardi
  • Kathy Birkett
  • Kelly Noseworthy
  • Dave Froese
  • Frankie Fresh
  • Peter Quiring
  • Produce For Kids
  • Chef Henry
  • Jack Hannigan

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube

Latest Tweets

Fun fact: Our #YOOM #Tomatoes have a unique flavor profile with a hint of plum-like sweetness! 💜 If you haven't tried them yet, read more about the YOOM® flavor experience: https://t.co/aGt7EdA54u https://t.co/ltydZ85fGh

@Nature_Fresh 4 days ago

Visiting a crop of freshly planted #Cucumbers is always a treat for the senses. These #Greenhouses are always full of fresh smells & bright colors! 🥒 https://t.co/ADkxI9YAla

@Nature_Fresh 7 days ago

@Phil_4xvaxxed Thank you so much for the support, we really appreciate it! So glad you’re enjoying your products! 😊🍅🥒

@Nature_Fresh 8 days ago
How to Pack Lunches for This School Year

The Kitchen 

How to Pack Lunches for This School Year

National Agriculture Day 2022

How We Grow 

National Agriculture Day 2022

The #GrowToPeople Experience

Green In The City 

The #GrowToPeople Experience

Fresh Updates

Join our email list for fresh updates straight from the greenhouse! We'll send you blog posts, recipes, and events in your area. Learn more about why you should sign up here.

What would you like to learn more about?
Select all that apply.*

By entering my email I hereby consent to receiving emails for the above stated purpose. Subscribers may at any time withdraw their consent to receive emails.

Javascript is required to submit this form.

Products

  • Organics
  • Tomatoes
  • Peppers
  • Cucumbers

Learn

  • Learn
  • Educator Resources
  • Greenhouse Education Center
  • Blog
  • Discovery Center

About Us

  • The Grow-To People
  • Our Guest Workers
  • Peter Quiring
  • The Bug Brigade
  • Food Safety
  • Sustainable Growing

Contact

  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • FAQs

Get In Touch

  • 634 Mersea Road 7, RR5
    Leamington, Ontario
    N8H 3V8
  • info@naturefresh.ca
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube
A Nature Fresh Farms Learning Initiative. © 2023 Nature Fresh Farms. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube
Nature Fresh Logo