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Paprika is a spice derived from the variety Capsicum annuum, the same as chili peppers. This is why many wonder what the difference between paprika and chili is: unlike the latter, paprika is not spicy at all, thanks to the intervention of the Hungarians who, in 1920, removed the internal veins to make it easier to use in cooking for everyone. In reality, there are types of spicy and sweet paprika, although even the spicy paprika is not excessively hot: this depends on the type of pepper and the processing used, like that done by the Hungarians to obtain a sweet spice.
It was a great insight because today, paprika is one of the most widely used spices in Europe, especially in its eastern part. Although not native to Europe, it was imported like other nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, etc.) by Christopher Columbus after the discovery of America. Thanks to its massive use, Europe "adopts" paprika and produces huge quantities, between Spain (where pimenton de la Vera, the smoked paprika from Extremadura, is cultivated) and Hungary, with excellent quality and a sweetness superior to the Chinese and South American competitors.
Sweet paprika is obtained from the grinding of dried red peppers, which are the only ingredient in this spice.
The origin of the sweet paprika available online in our spice shop is precisely Hungary, the land of the finest paprika quality, considered the national spice, where its harvest is a great celebration and tradition. In this land, paprika arrived thanks to Charles V, King of Spain (where paprika had been brought by Columbus after his voyages to America), who recommended the spice to his sister Maria of Austria, Queen of Hungary.
Hungarian sweet paprika has a spicy and fruity taste, not spicy because it is derived from the sweet peppers of Capsicum annuum, which are ground into a powder. The taste of paprika is highly appreciated for this characteristic, but there are some spicier or even smoked variants, like the spicy smoked Pimenton of Spanish origin, paprika also available on Terza Luna.
Regarding paprika, Asta stands for American Spice Trade Association, an association of spice brokers that assigns certain values to various spices to distinguish their quality and characteristics. In the case of Paprika, 110/120 refers to the brightness of the color. It ranges from 60 to 160-180, where we will have a paprika with a very dark red color.
Paprika has numerous benefits and properties, especially sweet paprika is very rich in Vitamin C, which makes it beneficial for health in terms of nutritional values. It has good iron content and has a positive effect on blood circulation. Like chili peppers, paprika contains capsaicin, which helps lower blood pressure, benefiting the circulatory system.
It is also useful in the digestive processes, and became famous because of its richness in Vitamin C, ascorbic acid, it was used to counteract scurvy.
Sweet paprika is a spice used to enhance the flavor of various dishes. However, many wonder if consuming this red spice, in addition to providing a large amount of vitamin C, results in excessive calorie intake. Considering the average amount of paprika powder consumed by an individual, we can confirm that its caloric ratio is not excessive at all. In fact, for 100 grams of sweet paprika consumed, we intake 289 calories divided as follows:
Despite its benefits, sweet paprika may have some contraindications. In rare cases, it may cause allergies or reactions in sensitive individuals. Furthermore, it is advisable to moderate its consumption in the presence of gastric disorders, such as ulcers or gastritis, due to its mild spiciness.
Generally, sweet paprika is safe for most people. However, it is always good practice not to overuse it and consider any pre-existing health conditions. When in doubt, consulting a doctor or nutritionist is always the best choice.
There is no need to worry! Sweet paprika has very few calories and can be easily included in a balanced diet. In fact, it can help add flavor to dishes without the addition of fats or extra calories.
Sweet paprika has a spicy but not pungent taste, which is perfect for flavoring various dishes, enhancing dressings, sauces, and soups with a lively and unique touch. It is a key ingredient in Spanish cuisine, where Pimenton is the fundamental ingredient of "polpo alla gallega" (read our article on the best recipes with Pimenton de la Vera), and Hungarian cuisine, where it is essential in the preparation of goulash, the typical Hungarian meat stew.
How to use sweet paprika in dishes? Ideally, lightly toast it in a pan, being careful not to burn it to avoid a bitter taste, along with the basic ingredients of the preparation: it can be used for meat stews, soups, and curries. It can be added to sauces, whose taste is enhanced by sweet paprika, or incorporated into doughs. Using paprika is easier when tempered in hot water, then added to preparations for a more homogeneous consistency and to better release its aroma. There are hundreds of recipes with paprika: let's see some ideas together.
Where to use sweet paprika? This spice can be used in many dishes, thanks to its softer taste and aroma compared to chili or strong paprika. Among the most delicious recipes with paprika are meat dishes, potatoes, soups, and vegetables: this spice flavors any dish giving it a reddish hue, and being non-spicy, you won't risk ruining any dish. Here are some of the simplest recipes with paprika to enjoy its unique flavor.
Paprika and chicken are definitely a winning combination: try a recipe for chicken thighs with paprika and yogurt, creating a marinade of yogurt, sweet paprika (available for sale on Terza Luna), salt, and oil, letting the chicken marinate for at least 5 hours, and baking it in the oven at 180 degrees for 25 minutes.
As demonstrated by the Galician octopus, potatoes go very well with paprika: a tasty and especially vegetarian side dish to prepare with simplicity. Dice or slice the potatoes, add paprika, oil, and salt in a bowl, mix the potatoes, ensuring the seasoning adheres to the cubes. Place them on a baking sheet and bake. 180° for 30 minutes.
Sweet paprika has a variety of uses: it can be added to breading to enrich your fried foods, on pasta, sprinkled at the end of plating, in rice timbales, to flavor any vegetable.
Paprika also pairs well with many other spices and ingredients; cinnamon, cloves, cumin, cayenne pepper, and thyme. It is often included among the ingredients of Garam Masala, the most commonly used spice blend in the East.
This is a tasty alternative to the preparation of the classic Italian dish, giving it a more intense flavor. For the preparation of the recipe with sweet paprika, we can start with simply cooking the pasta. Once ready, pour it into a large pan with oil and sauté it a bit over medium heat. Then add our sweet paprika and mix everything several times. We should obtain golden and crunchy rigatoni with a strong flavor.
A first difference between paprika and chili pepper is that while the former comes from a processing of peppers deprived of filaments and seeds and bell peppers, dried and ground, chili peppers are often used with the white part composed of filaments and seeds inside, responsible for the spiciness attributed to chili peppers. The second aspect that makes a substantial difference between the two foods concerns the taste. While sweet paprika has a strong, almost fruity flavor, spicy but not hot, chili pepper has a fresher, almost neutral taste, which gives the classic spiciness of chili pepper.
Sweet paprika is just one of the variants of paprika available on the market. A first more general classification could include, in addition to the sweet paprika we already know, also:
Many wonder "sweet paprika: where to buy?": it is indeed important to choose a paprika of the best quality, with a high standard harvest and processing. At Terza Luna, we have included in our online spice shop a sweet paprika from Hungary, ground into a very fine powder with a soft but strong flavor, which maintains the fruity aroma of peppers and chili peppers, to enrich your dishes with color and taste.
At Terza Luna, you can find sweet paprika for sale at a convenient cost, in different sizes. Sweet paprika powder from Hungary to enrich your dishes with a strong flavor.
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