compound and, consequently, the "hot" taste usually associated with the rest of the genus Capsicum. This recessive gene is overwritten in the Mexibelle pepper, a hybrid variety of bell pepper that produces small amounts of capsaicin (and is thus mildly pungent). Sweet pepper cultivars produce non-pungent capsaicinoids. Production In 2020, global production of bell peppers was 36 million tonnes, led by China with 46% of the total, and secondary production by Mexico, Indonesia, and Turkey. The United States ranks 5th in total production, as it produces approximately 1.6 billion pounds annually. See also List of Capsicum cultivars Stuffed peppers References Chili peppers Crops originating from the Americas Capsicum cultivars Crops Romani cuisine