All About Paprika

What is paprika?

Paprika is a spice made from the grinding of dried sweet red or green bell peppers. It is a commonly used ingredient in a variety of Hungarian, Central, and Eastern European dishes. Paprika is also very well-known throughout Mexico, Central, and South America which have different versions of the paprika spice.

How to cook with paprika?

Paprika is a great ingredient to use in your recipes especially if you want to enhance flavor and color to your dishes. Some of the most popular Hungarian dishes that have paprika include goulash soup and chicken paprikash.

One of the easiest ways to use paprika is by adding into lard or oil in your cooking. Just be careful not to leave paprika too long under high heat or you may burn it!

How to store paprika?

Unlike other spices, paprika has a relatively short self-life about six months or less. It should be purchased in small quantities and kept in airtight containers away from sunlight.

Where to buy paprika?

You can find the standard type of paprika almost everywhere including at your nearest grocery store. However, I highly recommend using paprika that is from Hungary as it will have the finest and most well-balanced taste especially if your strictly using it for any Hungarian dish. Try visiting a food or spice specialty shop near you. Of course, if you live in Europe you can buy paprika at your local market.

Here is a few of the most popular paprika producers in Hungary. Many of their products are exported around the world.

Szegedi Paprika Spice and Canned Food Producing Company (based in Hungary)
http://www.szegedipaprika.hu

Hungarian Flavours Ltd. (based in Hungary)
http://hungarianflavours.com

You can also try these online retailers that sell authentic Hungarian paprika
along with many other products from Europe.

Bende Inc. (based in Illinois, USA)
http://www.bende.com

Otto’s Hungarian Import Store and Deli (based in California,(USA)
http://www.hungariandeli.com

Budapest Deli (based in Las Vegas and California, USA)
http://quickshipeurope.com

Hungarian Food and Wine (based in Hertfordshire, UK)
http://www.hungarianfoodandwine.com

German Deli (based in Texas, USA)
http://www.germandeli.com

Just For Fun!

If your still interested in learning more about paprika and its history. You can visit the official website for the Pick Salami and Szeged Paprika Museum in Hungary. Even better, you can actually tour the museum in person!

Pick Salami and Szeged Paprika Museum
http://www.pickmuzeum.hu