A pimento (also spelled pimiento) is a sweet red pepper with a mild, slightly tangy flavor. You've probably seen pimentos stuffed inside green olives, those little red strips peeking out from the center. That's their most famous appearance in many kitchens.

Pimentos are heart-shaped peppers that turn bright red when ripe. Unlike jalapeños or other hot peppers, pimentos have almost no spiciness at all. They taste sweet and a bit smoky, especially after being roasted. People often roast pimentos, peel off their skins, and preserve them in jars.

Besides stuffing olives, pimentos show up in pimento cheese, a Southern spread made by mixing chopped pimentos with cheese and mayonnaise. You might also find them diced in chicken salad or mixed into mac and cheese for color and sweetness.

Today, many jarred pimentos sold in America come from Spain or the U.S. state of Georgia, where the climate is good for growing them.