If there’s one spice that you should try today, it will be paprika.
Not many people know that bell peppers, the stuff that makes paprika, are far different from chili peppers. Paprika has far more uses than pure chili powder.
You’ll discover in this short guide that paprika isn’t just for adding a dash of color, this spice has a surprisingly fantastic flavor profile which we will discuss here.
Re-Discovering the Power of Paprika
I often wonder why people didn’t consume paprika like how they use salt and pepper. Then one day I tried buying some paprika powder off the local grocery. I know real paprika when I taste it. That stuff that I bought off the shelf is a far cry from the spice that I love. It doesn’t have the authentic taste. No wonder most people frequently overlook paprika, because they had yet to taste this spice in its pure form.
So, if you’re lucky enough to find some high-quality paprika powder, you’ll be in for a surprise. Here are the reasons why paprika should be your new go-to spice:
Paprika is Nutritious
Before I dive deep into paprika’s flavor profile, let me start by mentioning that this spice is jam-packed with health-giving nutrients. Every ounce of this red spice is full of Vitamin C, at about six times more than tomatoes and oranges by weight. It’s also a potent antibacterial agent that helps you to ward off the common infections. To get the most nutrients out of your paprika, cook it in moderate heat.
Easy to Mix and Delicious
Paprika goes well with just about any salty or savory food. Your store-bought spice blend contains paprika among its ingredients, but you rarely use it on its pure form.
Paprika not only makes for a colourful deviled egg but also enhances the taste of meat stews, barbecue, mac and cheese, chicken, fish, vegetables, cream-based sauces and wild game. Paprika’s fresh taste gives an exciting flavour when mixed with proteins.
There’s a reason why Hungarian, Mexican and Europeans use paprika all the time. That’s because it turns any dish as a feast for the eyes and taste buds. People in Hungary even keep a shaker filled with salt and paprika, instead of black pepper, on their dining table. It goes to show how they love this red spice.
Paprika Completes Your Recipe
Chefs and people who are conscious about eating a well-rounded diet always include paprika on their seasoning. It goes with just about anything including meat rubs, barbecue mixes and sauces. Aside from adding colour, paprika holds all the flavour of your spice seasoning together. Paprika adds a subtle smoky flavour to gazpacho and other Latin-inspired dishes. It also adds life to curry powder, Moroccan cuisines and fajita seasonings.
Paprika-based meat flavoring plays a big role in burgers, homemade sausages and marinades. It adds a fresh and delicious taste that blends well with proteins. Unlike cayenne or chilli powder, paprika is typically mild in terms of heat. Even the medium-spicy versions won’t burn your tongue. That means you can sprinkle paprika in just about any food that you have without it changing the primary taste.
Types of Paprika
Hungarian Paprika:
Hungarian people like their paprika and salt more than any other condiment mixture. Its rusty-reddish color and rich flavor is a prominent ingredient in Hungarian cuisine. It isn’t too spicy but has a tolerable and pleasant warmth that goes well with any savoury recipe.
Smoky Spanish Paprika:
The standard paprika from Latin America has that subtle smoky taste and medium heat. It has a reddish-brown tinge and sharp pepper scent. It got the sweetness but less aroma as compared to Hungarian paprika. The smoky flavor lingers like a pleasant bitter aftertaste. People from South America like to put their paprika on anything, especially in their chorizo, taco and fajitas.
How to Release the Full Taste of Your Paprika
The best way to maximize the authentic taste of your paprika is to heat it. Take care though not to burn your spice. Paprika has a distinct subtle smoky flavor with a hint of sweetness. This unique taste gets unleashed when mixed with oil in medium heat. You can also brush paprika into your meats, fish, game or poultry before frying or grilling. You may also add paprika to your pasta sauce or any tomato-based stews midway into the cooking process. Paprika is the best spice if you can’t tolerate too much heat but you want a hint of bite. A teaspoon of paprika mixed with your recipe can liven up your dish with flavor and color.
If you want to get the freshest-tasting paprika this week, checkout one of our paprika packages at our shop.