Description

Paprika is the dried, ground pods of Capsicum annum, a sweet red pepper. It is mildly flavored and prized for its brilliant red color.

Uses

Paprika is used in seasoning blends for barbeque, snack foods, goulash, chili, and the cuisines of India, Morocco, Europe, and the Middle East.

Origins

Paprika is primarily produced in Spain, Central Europe, and the United States. Although both Spanish and Domestic Paprika are mild and sweet in flavor, several important differences exist. Domestic Paprika is characteristically fresh, green and vegetable-like, while the Spanish Paprika exhibits a more fermented and piquant flavor. Historically, the Central European varieties were more pungent, but they now exhibit a sweetness similar to Spanish Paprika.

Folklore

Early Spanish explorers took red pepper seeds back to Europe, where the plant gradually lost its pungent taste and became "sweet " paprika. A Hungarian scientist won the Nobel Prize for research on the vitamin content of paprika. Pound for pound, it has a higher content of Vitamin C than citrus fruit.