Dried red pepper pods are not only prized for their flavor but also for their health benefits. Red peppers are rich in vitamins A and C, as well as antioxidants that help boost the immune system and promote overall health. Additionally, the capsaicin found in red peppers has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and metabolism-boosting properties.

Paprika and bell pepper are both members of the Capsicum annuum family, but they have different characteristics. Bell peppers are typically eaten raw or cooked, while paprika is often used as a spice. Bell peppers are usually sweeter than paprika, which has a more pungent taste.

What is Hot Chili Sauce?

The degree of heat found within peppers, also called pungency or piquancy, is determined by how it measures on the Scoville scale, recorded in Scoville Heat Units (SHU).

Having said this, something as beneficial as capsaicin does not come without any trade-offs. Producing capsaicin takes a lot of energy, which is why some peppers are not spicy. In some cases it makes more sense to make a lot of fruit with less or no capsaicin, thus producing more seed, and getting offspring by overwhelming predators and plagues by sheer volume.