Paprika is one of the more well-known and used spices in the kitchen. It has a wide range of uses in various dishes including most notably Hungarian goulash and Spanish paella to name but two. People often wonder where the spice is actually derived since it doesn’t immediately come to mind.
Does paprika come from a specific plant? Is it from a tree?
Hint: Paprika is a Hungarian word meaning “pepper.” In fact, paprika also means pepper in German, Spanish and French among other languages. Would you be surprised to know therefore, that paprika the spice is simply crushed red pepper?
That’s right. Paprika comes from red peppers although as we’ll see below, there are a number of peppers that can be used to produce paprika, depending on what taste you’re looking for.
Let’s take a closer look at paprika including how it’s made, what peppers are used and what popular dishes use paprika.
How is paprika made?
Paprika is made by grinding a specific variety of pepper called “paprika pepper”. The peppers are first harvested, then they are cleaned, sorted, and then they are dried using several methods like sun-drying, oven drying, or by using a dehydrator. Once they are dried, they are then ground into a fine powder.
There are several different types of paprika, which vary in flavor and color depending on the type of pepper used and the method of processing.
- Sweet paprika is made from mild peppers and has a sweeter, milder flavor.
- Hot paprika is made from hotter peppers and has a spicier flavor.
- Smoked paprika is made by smoking the peppers before grinding them, which gives them a smoky flavor.
Paprika is also graded based on the intensity of color and aroma. Depending on the country of origin, Paprika can be classified as fancy, choice, or standard. Some paprika may also be blended with other spices like cumin, coriander, garlic powder and even salt to create different flavor profiles.
Paprika can also be made into a paste by mixing it with oil and vinegar, which can be used as a marinade or a seasoning.
Below we’ll take a look at the most popular peppers and types of paprika spice products that exist.
What types of paprika are there?
There are several types of paprika, which vary in flavor and color depending on the type of pepper used and the method of processing. If you’re wondering why some paprika spices are a slightly different shade, it’s likely because they come from different peppers, as we’ll see below.
Some of the main types of paprika include:
- Sweet Paprika: Made from mild peppers, it has a sweeter, milder flavor. It is used as a garnish and as an ingredient in many dishes. It is also the most common type of paprika and can be found in most supermarkets.
- Hot Paprika: Made from hotter peppers, it has a spicier flavor. It is often used to add heat to dishes, and is popular in Spanish and Hungarian cuisine.
- Smoked Paprika: Made by smoking the peppers before grinding them, it has a smoky, intense flavor. It is used to add a smoky flavor to dishes, and is popular in Spanish and Mexican cuisine.
- Spanish Paprika: Spanish paprika is known for its unique and complex flavor. It comes in several varieties: sweet, bittersweet, and hot.
- Hungarian Paprika: Hungarian paprika is known for its sweet and mild flavor. It comes in several varieties: mild, medium, and hot.
- California Paprika: Is a sweeter and milder version of paprika. It is rarely used in traditional recipes.
- Aleppo Pepper: Is a type of paprika that is made from a specific variety of pepper and is known for its unique, fruity, and slightly spicy flavor.
These are some of the main types of paprika, but there are many other varieties available, each with its own unique flavor and uses.
Paprika is used in a number of popular dishes
Paprika is a versatile spice that is used in a variety of dishes. Some examples include:
- Goulash: A traditional Hungarian stew made with beef, onions, and paprika.
- Paella: A Spanish dish made with rice, seafood, and paprika.
- Chorizo: A Spanish sausage that is often flavored with paprika.
- Chicken paprikash: A Hungarian dish made with chicken, paprika, and sour cream.
- Cevapi: A dish of grilled minced meat sausage from the Balkans.
- Shakshuka: A dish of poached eggs in a sauce of tomatoes, peppers, onions, and spices, including paprika.
- Potato dishes: Like roasted potatoes, Potato wedges, French fries, Potato pancakes. Even paprika potato chips which are popular in Europe.
- Soups: Like gazpacho, and stews like ragoût.
These are just a few examples of dishes that use paprika. It can also be used as a garnish or as a seasoning for meats and vegetables.