Article content
Pepper is one of the best-known sources of vitamin C right after citrus fruits. Many even claim that pepper contains more of this vitamin than citrus or currants. Pepper is a food that most of us buy every day. But can you choose the right one and do you know what it can be used for?
Pepper
Even with peppers you can also distinguish between “boys and girls.” But what is the difference between them and which type of pepper is suitable for what? You probably won’t believe it, but the plant world is very diverse.
Boy or girl?
Determining the sex of a pepper is much easier than you might think. You simply turn it over and count how many segments the pepper has.
If a pepper has four segments, it is female.
If a pepper has only three segments, it is male.
Differences can also be recognized by other external signs.
For example, male fruits are noticeably more massive.
And this difference can also be tasted in the flavor itself.
Another distinctive sign is that males have far fewer seeds. Most vitamins and minerals are hidden in the stem. Unfortunately these stems are usually cut off and then thrown away. So next time don’t be afraid to chop the stem into the goulash as well. It won’t hurt you; quite the opposite.
Female
Females are generally tastier and sweeter, they are softer and have a better flavor when fresh. They are great for salads, but you shouldn’t add them to goulash, lečo or stewed meat. The flavor won’t be very pronounced, and so it will rather lead to waste.
Male
On the other hand, the male variety of peppers is perfectly suitable for cooked foods because it has completely different properties. Male peppers are more acidic and firmer. They are ideal for any type of cooked dish.
How to tell if a pepper will be juicy?
Weigh it, or just feel its weight in your hand. For this fruit, the rule is: the heavier it is, the fuller it is, because of water. Juicy peppers are exceptionally healthy!
Stem
When buying peppers in a store, attention should also be paid to the stem itself. A greener and more flexible stem generally indicates a healthier and fresher pepper. Therefore never buy peppers whose stems are already completely dry.
Spots
If you see any spots on a pepper, set it aside immediately. Spots usually indicate infestation by mold or possibly insects. Neither is ideal.
Storage
We do not recommend storing peppers in the cold for more than one week or rinsing them in plastic bags. If peppers are more prone to spoilage, it may happen that after two days they start to rot on their own.
