Yellow, Green & Red Bell Pepper: Know the Difference

Many people are perplexed why green, red, and yellow bell peppers do not cost the same in supermarkets. Some even claim that they taste the same, hence should be priced the same.  

However, the reality is quite different. They not only look and taste different, but they are also very different from one another in terms of nutritional profiles.  

Let us find out what is the difference between these three.  

Bell pepper begins green and gradually changes color as it matures. Depending on the cultivar, green bell pepper can turn yellow, red, or even orange. The fruit which was allowed to stay for a longer duration on the vine becomes sweeter and gains more nutritional value. A green bell pepper has a longer shelf life than other bell peppers, as it gets picked up earlier than the others. However, the nutritional profile of the green bell pepper is less than that of other bell peppers.  

Why does some bell pepper cost more than others? 

People often get curious about why some of the prices of differently colored bell peppers differ so much. In most cases, the shopkeepers themselves do not have any idea about the variation of prices in bell peppers.  

The answer to this question is, that the red and yellow bell peppers are left on the vine for a longer duration as compared to the green ones and are also harvested later than them.  

The green ones get picked up earlier, even when they are not fully ripened. This is one of the many reasons for them being cheaper. The yellow and red peppers receive more time, care, and water from the growers. These factors also contribute to the fact of them being of higher nutritional profile. They are also sweeter in taste as compared to the green bell peppers. 

Nutritional Difference Between Yellow, Green, and Red Bell Peppers

Yellow and Red bell peppers are far more nutritious than green bell peppers. Red bell peppers consist of approximately 11 times more beta-carotene. They have more than twice the amount of Vitamin C. They also have 10 times more amount of Vitamin A in them.