Paprika, Hungarian (Sweet) With hints of prune, raisin, and chocolate, this Hungarian sweet paprika sort of boggles the mind. The color and name don’t lead us to assume such flavors with paprika. Yet, there they are.   This sweet Hungarian paprika variety is dusty red and quite silky in texture. There’s no pungency or heat here; only a musky, red bell pepper flavor with a hint of astringency. Sweet Hungarian paprika’s vivid red color makes it a standout addition to stews and sauces, as well as a beautiful garnish All Natural, Gluten-Free, Kosher Parve, Non-GMO   This Hungarian sweet paprika is dusty red and quite silky in texture. There’s no pungency or heat with this bulk paprika powder; only a musky, red bell pepper flavor with a hint of astringency. A good all-purpose paprika for white and dark chocolate, steamed vegetables, soups, and rice dishes. If there was any spice with a more complicated history or confusing categorization, it must be paprika. Paprika is made from the Capsicum annuum plant, which sounds simple enough. However, there are dozens of varieties of this pepper – both chile and bell. Yet, genetically, they’re all the same species. (Think of it in the way all people are human, but look very different from each other.) Paprika is technically native to North and Central America and was used by the indigenous peoples as a food and as a coloring agent. Spanish explorers became enamored with the plant and brought it back to Spain along with tomatoes, potatoes, and other produce. The Spanish – particularly the lower classes, as the heat of paprika was considered undignified by the rich – began using the seeds in food preparation. The seeds spread past Iberia to Turkey and throughout the Ottoman Empire, as well as throughout Europe to the Balkan countries and Russia. Later on it became endeared by India and the Middle East. And, of course, each country began breeding it to their tastes; the Spanish by smoking it, the Turks preferring hotter varieties, and the Hungarians loved it sweet and mild. Hungary and Spain, however, are the major producers of paprika, with the United States as a distant third. Thus, we have endless varieties of paprika. Whew. Recommended Applications This Paprika, rich in color with a slightly smoky flavor is great with stews, egg dishes, rice dishes, poultry shrimp, steamed vegetables or rice dishes. Also wonderful when added to a cream based sauce or soup. Basic Preparation Ready to use as is, no preparation is necessary. Ingredients Dried red peppers.