What is the Difference Between Pepper and Capsicum?

The terms "pepper" and "capsicum" refer to the same vegetable, and there is no significant difference between them. Capsicum is the scientific name for the flowering plant that belongs to the genus Capsicum and the family Solanaceae, also known as the nightshade family. This family includes potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants. In the United States and Canada, the large, bell-shaped capsicum form is known as a bell pepper. In India, Australia, and New Zealand, it is simply called capsicum. In the United Kingdom, it is called red pepper, green pepper, or chili pepper.

The only slight difference between bell peppers and capsicum is the presence of capsaicin, a chemical that gives a spicy sensation. Bell peppers do not contain this chemical, which is why they are not spicy. However, the terms are largely interchangeable and refer to the same vegetable, with differences mostly due to regional preferences and names.

Comparative Table: Pepper vs Capsicum

The main difference between pepper and capsicum lies in the presence of capsaicin, a compound that imparts a burning sensation. Capsicum contains capsaicin, while bell peppers, a type of capsicum, do not. Here is a table comparing the differences between pepper and capsicum:

Capsicum is a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family Solanaceae, native to the Americas and cultivated worldwide for their chili pepper or bell pepper fruit. Bell peppers, sometimes called sweet peppers, are a type of capsicum and are technically a fruit treated as a vegetable. They come in various colors, including green, red, and yellow, and their taste and nutritional content change as they mature.