Not recommended: Ketchup alone

Hot or spicy paprika is, of course, hot and spicy. You may also see hot paprika referred to as Hungarian paprika. It’s not as hot as pure cayenne pepper, but it can definitely pack a punch, adding a spicy kick to almost any dish. Hungarian paprika comes in eight different varieties, each with varying degrees of heat and flavour, but the most common is édesnemes – known for its pungent, peppery flavour and sweetness.

Paprika made from bell peppers is a versatile spice that can be used to season meats, stews, soups, vegetables, and rice dishes. It is also a key ingredient in spice blends, marinades, and rubs, adding depth and flavor to a variety of recipes.

Amazing drizzled-over air fryer corn ribs or grab a big bowl for dipping gluten-free wontons or crispy rice sushi.

Spanish paprika, or pimentón, is a celebrated spice throughout that country, with controlled production that must be monitored to meet traditional standards in how these peppers are grown and processed. Murcia, in southeastern Spain, produces paprika that is sweet and mild. Paprika produced in La Vera, found in western Spain, can be sweet, spicy, or bittersweet. The celebrated pimentón de La Vera are smoked for extra flavor. 

In addition to its culinary applications, paprika oleoresin is also used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries for its colorant properties. It provides a natural alternative to synthetic food colorants and is valued for its stability and resistance to fading.

When Christopher Columbus landed in the Bahamas in 1492, he was the first European to have an encounter with any sort of chile pepper plant. He brought the ancestor of all paprika back with him to Europe and specifically to his patrons, the Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella. The king and queen did not care for their fiery heat and sent them to a monastery to be studied. These monks sent them further along across Spain and Portugal. From there, chile peppers made their way across Europe. Some peppers stayed spicy, like those in Calabria, but other European cultures experimented with their breeding and created the sweet and flavorful varieties of peppers that give us paprika today.