Bell peppers (also known as paprika, sweet pepper, pepper, or capsicum /ˈkæpsɪkəm/)is the fruit of plants in the Grossum Group of the species Capsicum annuum. Cultivars of the plant produce fruits in different colors, including red, yellow, orange, green, white, chocolate, candy cane striped, and purple. Bell peppers are sometimes grouped with less pungent chili varieties as “sweet peppers“. While they are fruits—botanically classified as berries—they are commonly used as a vegetable ingredient or side dish.

The most common colors of this peppers are green, yellow, orange and red. Other colors include brown, white, lavender, and dark purple, depending on the variety. Most typically, unripe fruits are green or, less commonly, pale yellow or purple. The red peppers are simply ripened green peppers.

Like the tomato, bell peppers are botanical fruits but culinary vegetables. Pieces of bell pepper are commonly used in garden salads and as toppings on pizza.