While bell peppers and pimentos share many similarities, there are some important differences between them. Keep reading to learn more about these two savory fruits.
What Is a Bell Pepper?
Bell peppers are also called sweet peppers, and are large, plump, and round-shaped fruits (yes, fruits!) that come in various colors. They are eaten raw or cooked and are crunchy in texture.
Bell peppers have a mild and slightly sweet flavor, differentiating them from spicy chili peppers. The taste can vary depending on the color, with red bell peppers being the sweetest.
What Is a Pimento?
Pimentos are small, heart-shaped peppers that are usually red in color and have a sweeter taste than the bell pepper.
Their sweet and slightly tangy flavor makes them a popular addition to salads, sandwiches, pizzas, and various other dishes.
Bell Pepper vs Pimento: What Is the Difference?
Bell peppers and pimentos are varieties of the same plant, Capsicum annuum. However, there are important differences between them.
Both bell peppers and pimentos are rich in vitamins and minerals, primarily vitamin C and antioxidants. However, bell peppers are a better source of vitamin C than pimentos.
100 grams of red bell pepper contains about 162.8 mg of vitamin C, or 181% of the daily value, while the same amount of pimento contains only 103.9 mg of vitamin C, equal to 115% of the daily recommended value.
Another key difference between bell peppers and pimentos is their usage in cooking. Bell peppers are extremely versatile and can be used in various dishes, such as salads, stir-fries, pizzas, and stuffed peppers. They can be roasted, grilled, or sautéed to enhance their flavor.
Pimentos, however, are primarily used for stuffing, as they add a sweet and tangy taste to any dish. They are commonly stuffed in olives, cheese, and meats, and used in dips or to make paprika.
Another important difference is that, as mentioned earlier, pimientos are sweeter than bell peppers.
When it comes to their appearance, bell peppers have a blockier shape, while pimentos have a rounder shape (in fact, they are also known as cherry peppers).
Chef Gourmet: We Know Good Food
At Chef Gourmet, we use only fresh ingredients to create delicious dishes inspired by culinary traditions from around the world.
We are located in Ontario, California, with deliveries available for the Greater Los Angeles Area. Get in touch by phone (1-888-536-5269), email (info@6v2.b95.mytemp.website.com), or through our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
