Paprika is a chile pepper family of the genus Capsicum annuum. Hungarian Paprika is the preeminent spice used in Hungarian cooking, and in Turkey and Hungary it is often used on the kitchen table in the same manner that we use pepper. Paprika is the 4th most consumed spice in the world, and is a powder made from grinding the pods of various Capsicum annuum chiles. Depending on the variety of chile and how it's processed, the color may range from brown to a bright red, and the heat from mild to mildly spicy.

Hungarian paprika is made from peppers that are harvested and then sorted and ground to create different varieties. All Hungarian paprikas have some degree of rich, sweet red pepper flavor, but they range in pungency and heat.

History

Although Paprika is frequently associated with Hungarian cuisine, the chiles are native to the Americas and were introduced to the old world by Christopher Columbus on his excursion around the Antillies (the islands of the Caribbean), Central America and southern Mexico in the 15th century. Today, paprika is primarily grown in China, Hungary, Peru, Spain, the US and Zimbabwe.

Our Hungarian Paprika is grown in Hungary.

Types of Paprika

We carry four different types of paprika, and each has it's rightful place in any well stocked kitchen. In addition to Hungarian Paprika, we also carry Smoked Sweet Spanish Paprika which has a full range of sweetness combined with lingering smoky notes, a Smoked Hot Spanish Paprika which has a little bit more heat to it than the sweet variety and a Domestic Paprika from California which has a lighter taste, and is used more for coloring than for flavor. You can use any of these paprikas in any recipe that calls for paprika depending on your own tastes.

Growing Requirements

Hungarian paprika takes seven months from seed planting to harvesting. Hungarian paprika tends to be a bit sweeter than other paprikas due to the country's cool growing season, which retains sugar in the spice. Each growing region's climate also affects the color of the paprika. In the hotter regions of Peru or western China, the sun turns the paprika chiles a darker red.

When and Where to Use

Used for flavor and color, Hungarian Paprika is often found in casseroles, white cheeses, chili, egg dishes, marinades, rubs, salads, stews and it also goes well with most vegetables, pork and rice dishes.

Paprika works well in combination with allspice, caraway, cardamom, garlic, oregano, pepper and turmeric.

Some of our favorite recipes using Hungarian Paprika are Hungarian Pork Stew and Easy Chicken Paprika.

Flavor Profile

Once heated, paprika releases its color and flavor. So, when you sprinkle it over colorless dishes, it improves the food’s appearance without altering its flavor too much. This is why it is often used more as a garnish than a flavoring. However, you can use it as a flavoring by stirring the powder into some oil before adding it to a recipe. You can brush paprika infused oil on beef, fish or poultry.

Heat Levels

Hungarian Paprika is not considered hot. These come in at 250 - 500 SHU (Scoville Heat Units). For comparison, bells peppers come in at 0 while jalapenos tip the SHU scale at 3,000 - 8,000 SHU.

Helpful Hints

It's important to remember when using paprika in sauces that it has a high sugar content so it burns easily and will leave a bitter taste. Add it only when liquid ingredients are present and add it to the cooking process later on so that it doesn't cook over high heat for too long.

** This product is certified kosher.

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