Bell peppers belong to the same nightshade (or Solanaceae) plant family as tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, and chili peppers. The peppers in this nightshade plant family are scientifically classified as Capsicum annuum, and this is applied to both the sweet (like bell peppers) and hot peppers (like jalapeños and cayenne) varieties in this particular plant family. There are many different cultivars of Capsicum, or peppers, which are classified under different species names. For example, the habanero chile is categorized under the Capsicum chinense.

While bell peppers may not be spicy, it doesn't make them any less pleasing than hot chilies. In fact, many of you may already be eating bell peppers in their dried, ground form, or as paprika. Yes, that deep red spice in your cupboard called paprika is in fact made from red bell peppers. Use fresh bell peppers or paprika just like you would spicy chilies. A fantastic thing to do with bell peppers is to combine them with hot chilies, which will both tone down the heat and add a new layer of flavor. The possibilities are truly endless. 

Chili Sauce Use Cases

Smoked paprika is made by smoking the peppers before grinding them into a powder. It has a deep, smoky flavor and is often used in Spanish cuisine, where it is used to flavor chorizo sausage, paella, and other dishes. Smoked paprika is also used to add a smoky flavor to grilled meats and vegetables.

For example, bell peppers, which are a type of chili pepper, are known for their sweet flavor and are not spicy at all. On the other end of the spectrum, peppers like the Carolina Reaper and Trinidad Moruga Scorpion are among the hottest chili peppers in the world, with extremely high levels of capsaicin and intense spiciness.