Paprika

Paprika is a red-orange ground spice made from dried sweet peppers. It ranges from mild and sweet to gently pungent, with a warm, earthy aroma. It readily blooms in fat to release vivid color and flavor, and is used to season rubs, stews, soups, and egg dishes; common styles include sweet, hot, and smoked.

Derived from Capsicum annuum cultivars brought from the Americas, it took root in Iberia and Central Europe and became a staple of Spanish and Hungarian cooking. Producers dry and mill the peppers; Spanish pimenton is often smoke-dried, while Hungarian grades emphasize sweetness and color.