Paprika: One Spice, Three Directions

Paprika is often treated as a single red powder. It is closer to a category.

• Sweet paprika brings color and gentle pepper flavor.
• Smoked paprika adds campfire depth that can dominate if you overdo it.
• Hot paprika brings heat with paprika's fruitiness, not chili-powder sharpness alone.

Bloom paprika gently in fat. High heat can turn it bitter fast. Once you know which direction you want, the rest of the seasoning gets easier.