Is 3-slot or 4-slot bell pepper better?
Many people believe that bell peppers also distinguish between male and female fruits based on the number of grooves, and how is this characteristic related to quality? Is it true?
Bell peppers are used to prepare many delicious dishes, bringing many health benefits. The rich, bright color of bell peppers is also a sign that it contains many valuable micronutrients, helping this fruit be included in healthy, anti-aging and disease-preventing menus.
Is 3-slot or 4-slot bell pepper better?
Some people call bell peppers with 3 lobes, forming 3 longitudinal grooves, male bell peppers, and those with 4 grooves, female. According to them, female bell peppers have many seeds but are sweeter and tastier when eaten raw, while male bell peppers are tastier when cooked.
Actually, from a scientific standpoint, chili peppers have no gender; This distinction lies in the flower. On Reuters , James Wong, a British botanist, said: “Bell pepper flowers have both male and female parts, but bell peppers have no gender.”
And Allen Van Deynze, Director of the Center for Seed Biotechnology and Deputy Director of the Center for Plant Breeding at the University of California, USA, explained: “Bell pepper flowers are called hermaphroditic flowers, with both male and female parts. and the one in the same flower. The fruit itself originates from the female ovary (like all other fruits) but has the genetic combination of the two parents (DNA) in their seeds”.
Calling a bell pepper male or female is just a folk name. (Photo: Chef Gourmet LLC)
Thus, male bell peppers and female bell peppers – distinguished by the number of grooves on the fruit – are just folk names. But is it true that female bell peppers – with 4 grooves – taste better? Allen Van Deynze said: “ The number of lobes and grooves on bell peppers is related to variety, genetics and growing conditions. Sweetness often depends on the ripeness of the chili, and red chili will be sweeter than green chili .
According to him, the number of lobes and grooves on a bell pepper does not determine its taste. Different varieties of bell peppers will produce different numbers of lobes and grooves. Some varieties have two lobes, while others have three to five lobes. The most popular bell pepper variety in America has 4 lobes.
Is 3-slot or 4-slot bell pepper better? The number of grooves on a bell pepper does not determine its deliciousness. (Photo: Heidi’s Bored)
The deliciousness and sweetness of bell peppers are not related to the number of lobes on the pepper. In addition to maturity, this factor is also affected by plant variety, soil, and weather.
Regardless of whether bell peppers have three or four slits, they will be sweeter when ripe enough for the skin to become a dark color, such as dark green, dark yellow, or deep red. Therefore, when choosing to buy bell peppers, you should choose ones that are ripe, have smooth, shiny skin, and bright and even colors.
The stem of the bell pepper must be fresh and firmly attached to the fruit. When holding the bell pepper, it should feel firm in your hand. Do not choose fruits that are soft, have dark spots on the skin, are cracked or have lost stems.
Benefits of bell peppers
In his article in Health & Life newspaper, Dr. Le Thanh Hai said bell peppers are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and other nutrients.
Green bell peppers provide 551 IU of vitamin A per 149g, equivalent to 1 small cup. Red bell peppers have more of this vitamin, which helps keep eyesight healthy. One cup of chopped chili of any color provides more than 100% of daily vitamin C needs, has antioxidant effects, supports cell tissue health and increases immunity.
Bell peppers also provide folate which helps support the function of red blood cells, preventing certain types of birth defects in the fetus. This fruit is a source of vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting, and is rich in potassium, which helps enhance muscle function and regulate blood pressure. One cup of green peppers contains 261 mg of potassium, red and yellow varieties provide more than 300 mg.
Red bell peppers are rich in phytochemicals and carotenoids, especially beta-carotene, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
The capsaicin in bell peppers reduces bad cholesterol, controls diabetes, and reduces pain and inflammation. A lot of fiber in bell peppers helps regulate digestion and cholesterol levels.
Bell peppers bring many benefits to human health. (Photo: CFAES)
Lycopene, a carotenoid in red bell peppers, helps fight free radicals, preventing some types of cancer, especially prostate cancer in men. Yellow and orange peppers are also rich in carotenoids, which can protect the heart.
Bell peppers are rich in vitamin E, which plays an important role in keeping skin and hair youthful.
Vitamin B6 in bell peppers is essential for the health of the nervous system and helps regenerate cells. Certain enzymes such as lutein protect the eyes against cataracts and macular degeneration.
