Question of the Day: Why are bell peppers called bell peppers?
Quick Answer: Bell peppers are called bell peppers because of their appearance.
The name bell pepper dates back to some time in the 1400s. At that time in history, it was common for farmers to hang large tin bells around their cow’s necks to make them easier to find when grazing. Fenced pastures were rare at the time.
When explorers first introduced bell peppers to western cultures, the similarity between the pepper’s short, squat, rounded form and cowbells was immediately recognized, and the name was born.
Outside of North America and the United Kingdom, people refer to bell peppers as capsicum.
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
