Can you tell the gender of a bell pepper by counting its lobes?

No, the number of lobes on a bell pepper has nothing to do with its gender. Bell peppers, like most fruits and vegetables, do not have a gender. The notion that peppers with 3 lobes are male and those with 4 lobes are female is a myth.

The number of lobes on a bell pepper is determined by genetics, growing conditions, and other factors, and varies widely. Some bell peppers may have 2 or 5 lobes, or even more, and this has no bearing on their taste or nutritional value.

When it comes to selecting a bell pepper, instead of looking at the number of lobes, you should choose one that is firm, heavy for its size, and has a smooth, shiny skin. The color of the pepper will depend on its level of ripeness and can range from green to yellow, orange, and red.