Proponents and opponents of the claim that red pepper and paprika divided into two equal camps. Each of them has his own arguments proving the correctness of his theory. This article will help you understand where is truth and where is fiction.
Historical reference
All the confusion with names was due to the fault of Christopher Columbus. Having been sent to India to buy black pepper and other spices, he accidentally came across America. Having decided that he had achieved the goal of his voyage, Columbus took with him the fruits of a completely different plant, confusing it with black pepper. In fact, the taken fruits belonged to herbaceous plants of the nightshade family, and not to the climbing vine of the pepper family. But due to Columbus’s mistake, the brought plants also began to be called pepper, only capsicum.
Capsicums are a separate vegetable crop, of which there are about 700 varieties. Their fruits can be both sweet and bitter. The sweet varieties include the well-known bell pepper, and the bitter ones include red peppers.
Bell pepper
One of the most popular representatives of the nightshade family. In our country it is better known as bell pepper. This vegetable is native to Central America, and its history goes back more than 20 centuries.
This culture is very demanding of light and warmth.That is why in our northern regions it is most often grown in a greenhouse. Southern regions can successfully grow sweet peppers in open ground.
Its sweet fruits come in many different forms. The most common forms are the following:
- cylindrical;
- cone-shaped;
- oval;
- rounded and others.
In addition to various forms, it is distinguished by a rich range of colors, which includes almost the entire spectrum of colors. Depending on the variety, the fruits can be colored from light green to black colors. Their sizes and weight will also differ: from 10 to 30 cm and from 30 to 500 grams.
Its nutritional value is determined by its high content of vitamin C. It also contains vitamins A, B, mineral salts and essential oils. Its use in cooking has no boundaries and is universal.
Hot pepper
Red or hot chili pepper was brought from America. Its fruits are not as varied in shape and color as the fruits of its sweet brother. Depending on the variety, their shape can extend from spherical to trunk-shaped, and their color can vary from yellow to black-olive. However, red varieties still predominate.
Since this is a very heat-loving crop, it is recommended to grow it in greenhouses. In addition, it can even be grown on a windowsill. All you need for this is a 1.5-2 liter pot.
Burning The alkaloid capsaicin gives these red peppers their flavor. Like other fruits of the nightshade family, it is rich in vitamin C. In addition to it, it contains:
- almost a complete set of carotenoids;
- fixed oils;
- calcium;
- iron;
- sulfur;
- B vitamins and other beneficial substances.
Due to its composition, it is able to have a powerful positive effect on the entire body.
Paprika
In fact, paprika is a powder made from the red fruits of plants in the nightshade family. Paprika cultivar plants are perennial bushes with erect shoots and fleshy fruits. Their homeland is South America. In addition to America, paprika is successfully cultivated in Russia, Ukraine, Chile, Slovakia, Turkey and Hungary.
Its taste can be both sweet and hot. Depending on the variety, paprika fruits can be:
- spicy;
- sweet;
- sharp.
In addition to red paprika, there is also yellow paprika, but it is less common.
Paprika as a seasoning is very useful. It has a rich composition, including the following vitamins and minerals:
- A;
- E;
- WITH;
- iron;
- phosphorus and others.
But the main benefit of paprika is the content of lipocaine and capsoicin - these substances effectively fight infections and strengthen the immune system. In addition, lipocaine and cansoicin are actively involved in the prevention of cancer.
So are there any differences?
What is the difference between paprika and bell pepper and red pepper? Nothing. These are different names for the same plant - Capsicum annuum. This plant has about 700 different species.The only difference will be in the taste of the particular type. Some species will have a sweeter taste, while some species will have a spicier taste. Both can be used to produce paprika.
