The room burst into laughter. My mother-in-law was telling a lighthearted story about her friend who, while cooking, had innocently asked, “Wait, what’s paprika made of?”
Everyone chuckled, and she playfully rolled her eyes as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
I laughed too—but inside, I was silently panicking.
Because truth be told…
I didn’t know what paprika was made of either.
I’d used it dozens of times in my kitchen. Sprinkled it over deviled eggs for color, mixed it into stews, even added a dash to chicken rubs. But if someone had stopped me and asked what it actually was, I’d have frozen like a deer in headlights.
So what is this crimson-colored spice we all keep in our cabinets?
🌶️ The Truth Behind Paprika
Here’s the answer I wish I had known sooner:
Paprika is made from ground, dried peppers.
Not just any pepper—but a variety of red capsicum peppers, which are in the same family as bell peppers and chili peppers. These peppers are harvested, dried, and then finely ground into the rich red powder we know as paprika.
Depending on the type of pepper and how it’s processed, paprika can range from sweet and mild to smoky or hot.
🔥 Types of Paprika You Might Not Know Exist
There isn’t just one paprika—there are several types, each with their own personality:
Please Head On keep on Reading (>) for the instructions:
