Paprika Peppers

The paprika pepper is a large, cone-shaped chili pepper. It is typically dried and ground to make the more familiar powdered spice widely produced in Hungary. The paprika is a fairly large red pepper and quite long, growing up to 8 inches, and lends a unique spiciness to paprika powder.

Scoville Heat Units: 250 - 1000 SHU

The paprika pepper is a large, cone-shaped chili pepper. It is typically dried and ground to make the more familiar powdered spice. It is originally from Hungary. The paprika is a fairly large red pepper and quite long, growing up to 8 inches, and lends a unique spiciness to paprika powder.

Most cooks consider paprika when preparing dishes like deviled eggs or potato salad, using it more for color than flavor. This is such a shame, as they do offer a unique flavor.

In Hungary there are eight classes or types of paprika ranging from delicate to hot. The peppers also range in size and shape depending on where they are grown . Some are grown in Spain, Hungary, California and other parts of the U.S. The most commonly produced paprika is made from the sweet red pepper also called the tomato pepper.

Learn more about the paprika spice here.

History of Paprika Chili Peppers

The first paprika plants arrived in Hungary in the 17th century, after being cultivated in Mexico for centuries. It is told that ethnic groups fleeing north from the Turks introduced the paprika to the Balkans. Paprika became commonly used in Hungary by the end of the 18th century.

Two towns in Hungary (Szeged and Kalosca) competed against each other for the title of Paprika capital of Hungary. The name derives from the Hungarian word, “paprika”, which means pepper.