All red, yellow, and orange peppers start out green. The color (and also the taste) changes depending on how long they're allowed to ripen on the vine. 

In Season: Bell peppers are available year-round, but they're most abundant in early summer, when vegetables are more likely to come from a farm closer to home.

What to Look For: Look for firm peppers with taut skins; avoid ones with wrinkles or cracks. To get peppers with thick, juicy walls, choose those that feel heavy for their size. 

How to Store: Store in a paper bag in the crisper up to five days.