and mild while another has a smoky aroma or a noticeable amount of heat.
So how do ordinary peppers become that vibrant powder sitting on your kitchen shelf? And why are there so many different types of paprika?
What Is Paprika Actually Made Of?
At its simplest, paprika is made from dried, ground peppers.
The FDA defines paprika as the dried and ground red, ripe fruit of Capsicum annuum. In other words, paprika is not a mysterious combination of unrelated spices. It begins as ripe pepper fruit that is processed and ground into powder.
The peppers selected for paprika are generally milder varieties rather than extremely hot chili peppers. However, the exact level of heat depends on the variety used and how the pepper is processed.
This is one reason paprika can be confusing for people who assume every jar should taste exactly the same.
One variety might taste almost
