What Exactly is Paprika?

Sometimes life serves up funny little moments—like the time my mother-in-law’s friend was shocked to learn what paprika is made of.

She thought it was some exotic spice, only to find out… it’s just dried peppers! The realization had them both in hysterics.

Paprika isn’t just a red dust for deviled eggs or potato salad. It’s made by drying and grinding sweet bell peppers or chili peppers (Capsicum annuum).

Depending on the region and processing, it can be mild, smoky, or spicy. Hungarian and Spanish varieties are the most famous—think goulash and paella!

Many people don’t connect spices to everyday produce. So when my mother-in-law explained to her friend that paprika starts as the same peppers we slice

for stir-fries or stuff with cheese, it was as if she’d revealed a secret ingredient to life. “She looked at me like I was joking!” she laughed.

That sparked a whole afternoon of fun facts—like where cinnamon comes from (tree bark!) or how vanilla pods are harvested.

A Few Paprika Fun Facts:

Some premium paprikas still contain flecks of pepper peel.

Smoked paprika gets its flavor from peppers dried over wood fires.

It’s rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and capsaicin—so it’s good for you too!

In short, paprika is a humble hero of the spice rack—simple, colorful, and full of surprises.

And sometimes, the best cooking lessons come with a side of laughter.