Why Do Bell Peppers Come in Different Colors?

Bell peppers come in a rainbow of colors—green, red, orange, and yellow—with each color typically carrying a different price tag. Green bell peppers are usually the most affordable, while red peppers often top the list as the priciest. Yellow and orange peppers fall somewhere in between but can sometimes rival the cost of red peppers.

Though all bell peppers share a similar shape and flavor profile, their colors signal key differences. What causes these color variations, and how do they impact taste, nutrition, and cost? Let’s dig into the colorful world of bell peppers.

Why Do Bell Peppers Come in Different Colors?

Color differences in bell peppers often relate to their ripeness and how long the fruit has matured on the plant. Green bell peppers are essentially unripe versions of red, yellow, or orange peppers. As the fruit ripens on the vine, its color changes—green peppers gradually transform into red or other mature colors depending on the variety.

However, some bell pepper varieties remain green throughout their growing cycle, never changing color before harvest. So, color can also be a matter of the specific pepper variety planted.

How Color Affects the Nutritional Value of Bell Peppers

Color plays a big role in the nutritional content of bell peppers. Green bell peppers, being less ripe, generally have lower nutritional value than their fully ripened counterparts, like red peppers. This is likely why green peppers tend to be cheaper at the grocery store.

That said, green bell peppers still pack a healthy dose of vitamin C and other nutrients. Red bell peppers, having spent more time ripening on the plant, develop higher levels of vitamins, antioxidants, and carotenoids, making them a more nutrient-dense option.

How Color Influences the Taste of Bell Peppers

As with many fruits, the taste of bell peppers changes as they ripen. Green bell peppers offer a bright, slightly bitter flavor that some find refreshing, while others may see it as sharp or less sweet. As the peppers mature and change to red, yellow, or orange, their flavor softens and sweetens considerably. The ripest peppers tend to have a rich, fruity sweetness that’s noticeably different from the grassy notes of the green variety.