Originated in Mesoamerica, where it is cultivated for more than 6,000 years ago, the bell pepper (Capsicum annuum, of the family Solanaceae) was first reported by the name of pepper, until Christopher Columbus compared it with the pepper. So it becomes one of the first plants introduced to Europe from the New World.
It varies in color and shape: green, yellow, orange, red, white and even black or dark purple. The presence of vitamin C in the fruit, especially in the red, is sometimes three times more than contained in oranges and strawberries. Also has vitamin A, calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and carotenoids, including capsanthin is a pigment with antioxidant properties. Consumed raw, cooked, canned, pickled, dry and powder.
