Sweet Fruity Paprika Powder

What is sweet paprika?

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Paprika is a vegetable but also the name of a spice derived from the sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum). These two vegetables are from the Solonaceae family, just like tomatoes, eggplants... Less pungent than chili powder, sweet paprika has however more taste than the classic paprika. Its aromas are close to those of dried tomatoes.

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Bell pepper flowers are white with 6 or 8 petals. Their pollen is irritating

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The harvest of the paprika

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Paprika is the fruit of Capsicum annuum. It is harvested ripe before being dried. Once dry, it is ground into a fine powder: paprika powder.

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In Europe, paprika is increasingly grown in greenhouses.

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Did you know? in paprika, it is the seeds that give it a pungent taste. The varieties of paprika (hot or sweet) differ according to whether the fruit, seeds or tail is crushed.

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David Vanille\'s choice: I chose to offer you this sweet paprika powder for its exceptional taste qualities. Sprinkled on your dishes, it brings a slightly smoky taste and a moderate spiciness to your recipes.

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The different varieties of peppers and chilies

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There are many varieties of peppers and chillies from the Capsicum annuum plant, including

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• Anglet pepper: a pepper from southwest France\n
• Jalapeno pepper: A Mexican pepper whose spiciness varies between medium and strong. It comes from Jalapa in Mexico.\n
• The California Wonder sweet bell pepper\n
• Valencia Sweet Pepper\n
• Mont Jolien pepper\n

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Did you know? there are more than 2,300 varieties of peppers.

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Differences between sweet and hot paprika

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Sweet paprika is made from the flesh of the bell pepper. Hot paprika, on the other hand, is made from the seeds and stems of crushed bell pepper varieties with the addition of a little bit of chili powder ranging from hot to medium hot. It is called in this case: Royal Paprika.

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Difference between Spanish and Hungarian paprika

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Hungarian paprika is milder than Spanish paprika.

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The origins of paprika

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Paprika originated in South America. It was mainly found in an area between the southern United States and Mexico. It is an ancient fruit that was already cultivated 7,000 years B.C. Records show that paprika was used as a medicine to treat osteoarthritis and toothaches, but also as a currency of exchange by the Mayan and Aztec civilizations.

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Its arrival in Europe follows the Spanish colonization. In Spain, paprika became an essential spice in less than a century, to the point of being confused with pepper.

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The sweet species of chillies and peppers will be cultivated from the 17th century in Castile. It is from this period that we will start to make powder to be able to preserve them and consume them all year long.

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When it arrived in Hungary, it became themain spice of the traditional Hungarian cuisine. Less expensive than other spices and easy to cultivate, it will dethrone pepper. Today, paprika is the national spice of Hungary.

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Paprika today

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Paprika is a spice that enjoys a certain protection, especially in Spain where its production is regulated. Paprika from the regions of La Vera in Extremadura and Murcia has the AOC (Appellation d\'Origine Contrôlée) designation.

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Did you know? with 14 million tons produced each year, China is the largest producer of peppers. Spain is the fifth largest producer with a little more than one million tons per year.

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How to use sweet paprika powder in cooking?

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Sweet paprika has a strong, slightly bitter and medium hot taste. It is found in many \"red\" sauces such as tomato sauce. It is also used to sprinkle on meat, poultry and fish dishes. In Hungary, paprika is used in many traditional dishes such as goulash and stews.

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Our recipe ideas with sweet paprika

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Want to discover new ways touse your sweet paprika powder in cooking? Here\'s a 3-course menu where paprika subtly spices up each dish.

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The starter: Grilled sardines with paprika

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A light appetizer with an intense taste! Clean your sardines, add salt and pepper. Sprinkle your sardines with minced garlic and parsley. Open them and sprinkle with paprika powder. Heat a grill or light the barbecue. Grill your sardines. A starter to be enjoyed with a dry white wine.

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The dish: Roast chicken with paprika

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An essential recipe for family cooking! Choose a good free-range chicken. Insert a bouquet garni in its carcass and season with salt and pepper. Make a creamy butter with a pinch of paprika. Brush your chicken with the paprika butter. Preheat your oven to 180°C. Place in the oven. Excellent with baked potatoes which you can also sprinkle with paprika.

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The dessert: Spicy roasted pineapple

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Here\'s a light dessert that seduces with the perfect combination of pineapple and paprika. Cut your pineapple into slices without separating them completely from each other. Add a little liquid honey. Sprinkle with sweet paprika powder. Put in the oven and it\'s ready! Serve with a colonel sorbet or a scoop of Madagascar vanilla ice cream.

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How to store paprika powder?

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Like many spices, it is advisable to store paprika powder in an airtight container. Store your spices in a dry place, away from light, so that they retain their flavors for a long time.