Here are some signs to take note of so that you will know how to tell if bell peppers are bad. We’ve also got some storage tips! Read them now!
How To Tell If Bell Peppers Are Bad? | Pad Outdoor
Are you a vegetable
lover? Surely you know what bell peppers are, don’t you?
Bell peppers are a
well-known vegetable that is a good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C and has a
lot of nutrients and minerals, including antioxidant properties.
Now, people are a bit confused when and how to tell if bell peppers are bad. So today, we will let you in a little secret. We will discuss the top signs of identifying bad bell peppers. In addition, we will also tackle whether there are differences between green, yellow, or red bell peppers.
Bell peppers are
also favorite relish in various dishes because of its fresh taste and vibrant
colors.
I was once curious
if there is a difference between green, yellow, and red bell peppers. And after
reading some reliable contents, I found out the truth:
In reality, green
bell pepper is the unripe version of yellow or red bell pepper. Ripe bell
pepper can either turn full red or yellow. In some variants, the yellow bell
peppers are just unripe red peppers.
But is there a
difference in taste?
Of course! Although
the difference is more of a chemical-based rather than it being a genetic
based. The ripe bell peppers taste sweeter, more delicious, and have more
natural compounds.
Studies reveal that
bell peppers undergo different stages and at each stage, they acquire certain
chemical compound that affects their taste, appearance, and aroma.
Green bell peppers
have a lot of chlorophyll contents, thus smell greener and fresher. The yellow
bell peppers, on the other hand, means that the peppers start to accumulate
lutein and beta-carotene. The red bell peppers simply mean they have more
lutein and beta-carotene compounds, thus they tend to smell sweeter and a bit
of a fruity note.
How To Tell If Bell Peppers Are Bad?
Here are some signs
to know if your bell peppers are fresh and safe to consume:
1. Looks Shiny And Smooth
Fresh
bell peppers look shiny and smooth, regardless of whether it is green, yellow,
or red. The color is not much of an indication here since some red bell peppers
may have some spots of darker color but they are still good to eat.
Some
green bell peppers as well may have a hint of yellow or red color, but this
does not mean they have gone bad.
The
skin of a fresh pepper should be smooth and that some light reflects back,
giving it a luminous and glossy look.
2. Firm And Tight To Touch
When
touching the bell peppers, the fresh ones feel tight and firm to touch. The
green bell peppers are firmer than the yellow and red ones, but all of them
should not be misformed if you apply a bit of pressure.
To
test, put the pepper in your palm and press a little bit. If you notice dents
on the body, then most likely it has gone bad already.
3. Crunch And Tasty
Sometimes, the appearance and texture are not enough on how to tell if bad peppers are bad. In some cases, people have gone as far as using it in their cooking for them to know they’ve used a bad pepper.
How?
Through its taste, of course.
Bell
peppers are crunchy and tasty. They may taste a little bit bitter when unripe
(green bell peppers), but the more they get ripened, the sweeter and richer
they taste.
Overall, the bad
bell peppers have wrinkles on them with a lot of black spots. They also tend to
feel flimsy and chewy when eaten.
How To Store Bell Peppers Properly?
Fresh whole bell
peppers usually last 2 to 3 weeks, but they are not stored properly, this could
shorten their shelf life.
How do you store
them to extend their shelf life?
The best way to store bell peppers for an extended period of time is to chop them and freeze them. Once they are cut, put them on a tray first and freeze the tray. This will prevent the cut bell peppers from forming into one large ball. After which put them in a ziplock and make sure they are sealed securely. Finally, you can put them inside the freezer.
