Did you know that peppers are one of the healthiest fruits you can eat? You heard me right, peppers are technically fruits, not vegetables. Whether you like them in your omelet or to spice up your dinner, there are many health benefits associated with all types of peppers.
These amazing super foods are filled with carcinogen reducing antioxidants. Carcinogens are found in polluted air, sun radiation and other dangerous chemicals that we are exposed to on a daily basis. Making peppers a regular part of your diet has also been linked to weight loss and pain reduction.
Adding these healthy foods to your meals is even easier because there are so many varieties to choose from. Below, you will find four fantastic types of peppers.
Rocoto Red and Yellow Peppers
Rocoto peppers have been used to compliment various foods and meals for more than 5,000 years. These yellow and red fruits can only be harvested in Central America. They are easily spotted because of the beautiful blue flower that the plant produces. They also have oddly shaped, hairy foliage. The Rocoto is one of the spiciest peppers that you can buy and only very small amounts are used to flavor food. They thrive in very hot climates but require a significant amount of shade.
Hungarian Wax Peppers
If looking for a spicy pepper that can be eaten whole, you may want to consider the Hungarian Wax Pepper. These peppers are native to Mexico and used in traditional fresh Mexican salsas and salads. They can be harvested a little earlier on, when they are yellow, for a slightly sweeter taste or when they are red for a little more spice. They are also commonly used in the pickling process for green beans and carrots, another traditional Mexican food. One more interesting fact about this particular plant is that it is the main ingredient in paprika.
Holy Mole Hybrid Pepper
The Holy Mole Hybrid is one of the more interesting peppers on the market. Specifically engineered to be resilient to some of the more common pepper related diseases, it can easily grow in slightly cooler climates. When these peppers first bud, they are a very light shade of green but will turn an nutty brown at the peak of maturity. This mild tasting fruit is most commonly used in enchiladas, salsas, moles and sauces. Common to South America, they can also be grown in some parts of Southern California.
Giallo Asti Sweet Bell Pepper
The Sweet Bell Pepper is the most common, non spicy, pepper in the Americas. This sweet tasting fruit comes in three distinct shades, red, yellow and green. Each shade has a slightly different taste. They can be grilled, put into salads, fried, stuffed or even eaten fresh. Bell Peppers can be grown in a wide variety of climates during the summer months and make an excellent addition to any health conscious menu. Larger than most spicy peppers, the Sweet Bell matures at approximately six inches in length, producing quite a bit of food per harvest.
As you can see there are many types of peppers to choose from. You can easily incorporate these foods into your meal plans for some great taste and increased health.
