Paprika - not just a red powder!
When you go to the market to find paprika, you will most likely find one type called “Paprika.” Maybe there is a second choice, which is smoked paprika. The truth is, there is a great variety of paprikas. Most chefs prefer the original Hungarian product from the city of Szeged. Paprika is a staple of many Hungarian dishes.
What many chefs don’t know is that paprika originates from North America, particularly Central México. Paprika is made from peppers, and that is where peppers come from. Paprika was brought to Spain in the 16th century. It then made its way through the Balkan to Hungary, part of the Ottoman Empire at the time.
Originally, paprika was very spicy until someone in Szeged, Hungary, found a way to grow sweeter peppers. This is why Hungarians are known for their paprika, and Szeged paprika is probably the most famous in the world today.
So, I encourage you to use original Hungarian Paprika from Szeged to give your dish a more original flavor.
