Habanero Peppers
Habanero peppers get their name from the Cuban city of Havana, where they were first discovered, and belong to the nightshade family. Habanero peppers are incredibly hot, with a Scoville rating between 100,000 and 350,000, and their color doesn’t always indicate their heat level. The Guinness Book of World Records once listed the habanero as the hottest pepper, though it has since been surpassed.
Bell Peppers
Bell peppers are actually fruits, not vegetables, and come in a variety of colors including red, orange, yellow, and even purple. They are a good source of vitamin C and carotenoids, which are antioxidants. All colors of bell peppers start green, but they sweeten as they ripen, with red peppers being the sweetest.
Onions
Onions have been cultivated for at least 7,000 years, with evidence suggesting their origins in the Middle East. The ancient Egyptians revered onions, associating their spherical shape and concentric rings with eternity and using them in burial rituals. In the Middle Ages, onions were used as currency, accepted for goods, services, and even rent.
Carrots
Carrots are believed to have originated in Afghanistan or Iran over 5,000 years ago. Technically, carrots are a root vegetable, not a vegetable. While most people think of orange carrots, they can actually come in a variety of colors, including yellow, white, purple, and red. Carrots are known for their eye health benefits due to their high beta-carotene content. They may also help improve digestion, boost the immune system, and reduce the risk of certain cancers.