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Bell peppers are native to Mexico, Central America, and South America. Can you find these regions on a map? Peppers were named by Christopher Columbus and Spanish explorers who were searching for peppercorn plants to produce the spice known as black pepper. |
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In 1492, Columbus and his explorers discovered sweet and hot peppers in the West Indies and took samples back to Europe. Peppers quickly became popular in Europe, where they were eaten whole, made into spices and used as condiments. Peppers are still used in these ways today. They are not only delicious but versatile, too! Twenty years later, travelers found bell pepper varieties growing throughout the West Indies, Central America, Mexico, Peru and Chile. Since then, peppers have been introduced to many other parts of the world, including Africa and Asia. |
