So… What Is Paprika, Really?
Paprika is made from fully ripened red peppers—sometimes mild, sometimes hot—that are dried and finely milled. The resulting flavor depends on the pepper used and how it’s processed. A few well-known types include:
| Type | Taste Profile | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Sweet Hungarian | Mild, bright, slightly sweet | Hungary |
| Hot Hungarian | Spicy, bold, intense color | Hungary |
| Smoked Spanish (Pimentón) | Deep, smoky, savory | Spain (oak-smoked) |
That tiny jar tucked in your spice rack carries hundreds of years of culinary tradition—from Hungarian goulash and Spanish cooking to modern barbecue seasonings.
