September 10, 2021
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One of the most well-known spices in the world, paprika is a mainstay in spice cabinets across the globe. Among cooks, paprika is known just as much for the vibrant red color it imparts as for its bright, fruity, and sometimes spicy or smoky flavor. It is versatile enough to play a role in countless seasonings and spice blends as well as be a go-to topping for potato salad and deviled eggs.
What is Paprika Made Of?
A member of the Capsicum annuum pepper species (along with cousins cayenne, bell, jalapeño, and more), paprika is made from grinding the pods of various kinds of dried peppers. The variety of pepper used and how it is processed affects its color and flavor, ranging from bright red to deep brown, and spanning sweet, hot, and smoked – and just about everywhere in between. [caption id="attachment_14590" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]


Paprika Benefits
Paprika is packed with nutrients and natural pepper compounds including vitamins A, B6, potassium, and beta-carotene.Picking the Perfect Paprika Type
Use this information as a foundation, along with a few helpful tips.- We believe the best learning is by trying and tasting. Try out different varieties to discover which paprika types work best for a particular dish or use... it likely won't be the same one every time!
- Adverse to spicy foods? Give Hot Paprika a chance! Even the hottest paprika is considerably more mild than an average chili pepper.
- When cooking with paprika, gently heating it in fat (oil, butter, lard, ghee) will most effectively bring out its flavor.
