Definition of red pepper

"Red pepper" is a bit of a misnomer, as it's not actually related to black pepper (Piper nigrum). The term likely originated from the Spanish "ají" or "pimiento", which refers to the fruit of the Capsicum species. These fruits, often red, were introduced to Europe by Spanish explorers and became associated with the fiery, spicy flavor of black pepper, despite being entirely different plants. The term "red pepper" eventually became the most common way to refer to these brightly colored, spicy fruits in English.