Paprika is a popular spice that can be added to everything from barbecue sauce and marinades to sausages, potato bakes, and chicken and rice dishes.
Watch: Roast chicken with sweet paprika root vegetables
Despite its popularity, many people were recently shocked to find out what paprika is.
What is paprika made from?
Nutra Organics shared a meme on their Instagram page saying: “Learning that paprika is just dried, and crushed red capsicum was really shocking. I don’t know why I thought there was a paprika tree somewhere.”
And they aren’t the only ones.
“Now I feel dumb. It’s like only a few years ago I found out that my parents lied to me about that if you pee in the pool, it changes colour,” wrote one person.
Another added: “I had no idea, and I use it all the time. My mind is blown, I might not sleep tonight.”
“Why isn’t it called capsicum dust?” joked another.
While paprika can be made from red capsicum, it’s not the only way to make it.
“Ahm, paprika can be made from plain sweet red peppers,” someone clarified. “In Romania, where I come from, it’s homemade from either hot chilli peppers or red sweet bell peppers or red pointy/romano peppers… it’s defo not only made from capsicum, at least not everywhere in the world for sure. 🙂”
Others chimed in with other funny food tales.
“I was 30 when I realised sultanas were grapes 🍇😂” said one person.
“It’s like pumpkin seeds are called Pepitas … why can’t we just call things as they are?” Another asked.
Another said: “I’ve met chefs (not good ones 🙃) that didn’t understand that curry powder is just a blend of spices…. There’s no curry plant.”
Is paprika made out of red capsicum?
The McCormick Science Institute says: “Paprika is made from the dried, ground, ripened fruit pods of less pungent varieties of the Capsicum annum species.”
To say that paprika is solely made from red capsicum is incorrect. Paprika is made by grinding a variety of dried peppers. That is why paprika can vary in flavour depending on the pepper used.
Cooking tips
- Parika can be added to dishes to add colour and sweetness.
- Thanks to its mild flavour, you don’t have to worry about adding too much.
- Add paprika towards the end of your cooking time to prevent it from losing colour and flavour.
Paprika recipes
- Mexican rice
- Smoked paprika chicken
- Roast chicken with sweet paprika and root vegetables
- Maple and paprika roasted chicken salad
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