Sweet Pepper Types
Sweet peppers are defined in part by what they're not: hot. Sweet peppers lack the chemical component capcaisin that gives chili peppers their heat. Many sweet pepper varieties are bell peppers — characterized by their rounded, bell-like shape — but not all. There are also sweet varieties of banana peppers; sweet elongated types like 'Cubanelle' and 'Giant Marconi'; shishito peppers (which are rarely hot); and even new heat-free hybrid jalapeños.
The peppers shown here are the 'Cajun Belle' variety, a small bell pepper that has a just-right blend of sweet flavor and flavorful bite that every member of the family will approve. This 2010 All-America Selections winner frequently has fruit on the plant in several shades: lime green, orange and bright red.
Read on for more of our favorite sweet peppers.