Hot paprika is the same as regular paprika except made with spicy peppers that are dried and ground into a fine chili powder, perfect for adding heat and flavor to many dishes. Learn more about it.
When a recipe calls for paprika, you may reach for the regular old bottle lying in a cabinet in your kitchen. But did you know that there are several different types of paprika available for use and purchase? That's right- there are no one-fixes-all solutions when it comes to paprika.
Each type of paprika has a unique flavor and different heat level which makes it best for use in certain dishes and applications in particular. Here, we will be talking about Hot Paprika.
What is the Difference Between Hot Paprika and Regular Paprika?
All paprikas are made from dried and crushed red peppers. This incorporates both the skin and the flesh of the peppers. That is what gives the spice the gorgeous red color and the tangy aroma.
Regular Paprika is typically the sweet variety of paprika, often called sweet paprika or Hungarian sweet paprika. This is the most commonly found and used type of paprika and is pretty mild when it comes to the spice level. This is because it is made from sweet red peppers as opposed to hot ones, which makes its flavor fruit and tangier.
Hot Paprika, on the other hand, is made from spicy red chili peppers that pack a little more heat. It is used to spice up dishes instead of simply for the tangy flavor.
Is Hot Paprika Spicy?
While hot paprika does provide a decent amount of heat, it is not nearly as spicy as some of the other varieties of pepper. It can go as far as 590 SV on the Scoville heat scale. This makes it a mild to moderate pepper that can be comfortably and generously used for a variety of purposes.
How to Use Hot Paprika?
Paprika can be used in almost anything and everything. Its versatility is what makes it such a popular and handy ingredient in most kitchens and households. You can add it during the cooking process or sprinkle it onto the food later on as garnishing or seasoning. It imparts some beautiful color and delicious flavor either way.
Adding Hot Paprika to dishes like curries, soups, and stews imparts a classic reddish hue that looks extremely appealing and appetizing. Not to mention the delicious tangy taste and heat that it adds to the food. It is also added to other savory dishes incorporating meat and vegetables as it accentuates their taste.
Most of the time, paprika is added to the food near the end of the process since it does not need much cooking to bring out its flavor or color. In fact, too much heat would only reduce the intensity of both the color and the flavor of the food.
Lastly, when using Hot Paprika as garnishing or seasoning, sprinkle a generous dosing over the likes of deviled eggs or steamed vegetables. You can even add it to your popcorn for a kick of heat to make things interesting!
Where to Buy Hot Paprika?
Fortunately, paprika is pretty easy to find. You can get Hot Paprika easily from your local grocer. Just make sure to read the labels and get the right kind. If you are having trouble finding this variety of paprika in your region, you can always turn to online sources. There are many specialty online stores and services that sell and deliver authentic Hot Paprika.
- Buy Hot Paprika (affiliate link, my friends!)
What is a Good Substitute for Hot Paprika?
A frequently used substitute for hot paprika is cayenne pepper. Cayenne provides a similar kick of heat that is prominent enough to be noticed but not too overpowering when added in measured quantities. Cayenne is hotter than Hot Paprika though, so make sure to be careful.
It also provides a similar, rich, red color to whatever it is added. Another substitute that you can use to provide pretty much an equal amount of heat is red pepper flakes or red chili flakes.
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