Smoked paprika, often called pimenton, or smoked Spanish paprika is made from peppers that are smoked, dried over oak fires and then crushed into a fine, bright red powder. Bringing a deeper, richer, cooler flavour to the table. When it comes to heat, smoked paprika can be mild (pimentón dulce), medium (pimentón agridulce), or hot (pimentón picante).
Did you know? The vibrant red colour of paprika is because it contains high levels of carotene, the same pigment found most notably in, believe it or not, carrots.
Why We Love It: When you need a tried-and-true pantry staple to complement just about any dish, grab our Black Rose Hot Sauce. As one of our oldest and most popular hot sauces, this classic features medium heat and an award-winning combination of red jalapenos, cayenne peppers, and habaneros, along with a healthy dose of garlic. If you can only have one hot sauce for the rest of your life, make it this one—we promise you won’t regret it.
Overall, the two main types of paprika, sweet and hot, offer different flavor profiles and heat levels, allowing cooks to choose the right type of paprika to enhance the taste of their dishes. Whether adding a touch of sweetness or a fiery punch, paprika is a versatile spice that can elevate a wide range of recipes.
Hot sauces are a tasteful balance of flavors. It’s defined as a spicy and flavorful blend of different kinds of peppers and chilis, tomatoes, onions, vinegar, sugar, salt, and spices. It’s this mix of ingredients that creates a sauce that is not just going to activate your taste buds. It will have notes of fruitiness, sweetness from the sugar, a hint of warmth from the ground cumin or bitterness from the green bell peppers, and it might even have a touch of heat from the Sichuan peppercorns or the cayenne pepper that attacks the back of your throat, making you cough. It will also have a tangy flavor courtesy of the vinegar.
This paprika is delicious when added to cheeses, chicken, duck, egg dishes, hors d'ouvres, rice, salads, smoked foods, vegetables, and cottage cheese. It’s also terrific in salad dressings, where it not only adds color but also acts as an emulsifier.