Product Detail
The finest quality Hot Paprika.
Description
Paprika is a spice made from the grinding of dried fruits of Capsicum annuum (e.g. bell peppers or chili peppers). In many European countries the word paprika also refers to bell peppers themselves. The seasoning is used in many cuisines to add color and flavor to dishes. Paprika can range from sweet (mild not hot) to spicy (hot). Flavors also vary from country to country.
Culinary Use
Paprika is used as an ingredient in a broad variety of dishes throughout the world. Paprika is principally used to season and color rices stews and soups such as goulash and in the preparation of sausages as an ingredient that is mixed with meats and other spices.
Hungary is a major source of high-quality paprika in grades ranging from very sweet with a deep bright red colour to rather hot with a brownish orange colour.
In Spain paprika is known as pimentón and is quite different in taste; pimentón has a distinct smokey flavor and aroma as it is dried by smoking typically using oak wood. Pimentón is a key ingredient in several Spanish sausage products such as chorizo or sobrasada as well as much Spanish cooking. Outside of Spain pimentón is often referred to as simply “smoked paprika” and can be found in varying intensities from sweet and mild medium hot or very hot and spicy.
Contrary to popular belief the redder the colour paprika appears – the milder it is. The yellow variety is very hot and flavourful. Definitely not for the timid and should be used with care with those who cannot handle its spicy nature.
As Paprika contains significant amounts of sugar it must not be overheated as the sugar will quickly turn bitter. Frying paprika powder in hot oil is therefore a critical procedure that must last no longer than a few seconds.
Paprika deteriorates quickly so it should be purchased in small quantities and kept in airtight containers away from sunlight. Replace the paprika from your pantry every six months to ensure that you have the most flavourful batch handy.
Medicinal Use
Capsicum peppers used for paprika are unusually rich in vitamin C a fact discovered in 1932 by Hungary’s 1937 Nobel prize-winner Albert Szent-Györgyi. Much of the vitamin C content is retained in paprika which contains more vitamin C than lemon juice by weight.
High heat leaches the vitamins from peppers; thus commercially-dried peppers are usually not as nutritious as those that are sun-dried.
Paprika is also high in other antioxidants containing about 10% of the level found in açaà berries. Prevalence of nutrients however must be balanced against quantities ingested which are generally negligible for spices.
Other benefits of paprika include increasing saliva production normalising stomach acid to assist with digestion it has been known to regulate blood pressure improve circulation by providing a blood thinning agent and in some countries it is used as an antibiotic.
sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paprika
https://www.all-creatures.org/health/paprika.html
