Ground Sweet Paprika

Sweet pepper, also known as sweet paprika, is a spice with warm, fruity aromas with sweet, slightly spicy notes and a hint of bitterness. It is obtained from ripe red peppers or sweet chili peppers, dehydrated and then ground into a characteristic red powder. Its sweetness is preserved by using only the fruits, excluding the seeds which add spice. On the Scoville scale, sweet peppers have a spiciness of 1/10.  Paprika has its origins in Central and South America, where it was cultivated for millennia. The Aztecs and Mayans used it as a spice, currency and medicinal plant. Spanish settlers introduced it to Europe, discovering the variety of shapes and flavors of chili peppers, noting that larger ones were generally milder. In the 17th century it was called "Spanish pepper" before becoming popular in Hungary, replacing the expensive pepper imported by the English due to Napoleon's Continental Blockade. Paprika has become emblematic of Hungarian cuisine, appreciated for its sweet and slightly spicy taste.  Besides its unique taste, sweet pepper offers many health benefits. It is rich in iron, vitamins B2, B6, E and K, as well as potassium. Capsaicin, which gives chili peppers their spicy flavor, is effective in combating winter ailments and reducing joint pain. Historically, American Indians used sweet pepper to treat osteoarthritis and dental pain, and it also has digestive properties.  Sweet chili pepper or sweet paprika is widely used in Russian, Hungarian, Spanish and Latin American cuisine, adding a slightly spicy and fragrant note to various dishes. It is an essential ingredient in goulash, chicken dishes, Hungarian stews, Spanish paellas, patatas bravas, and other tapas. Paprika enhances the taste of fresh cheeses such as goat's cheese, enhances fish and poultry dishes, and is essential in Mexican chili con carne. Its sweetness, light spiciness and fruity taste go perfectly with the avocado in guacamole.  To reveal the full flavor of sweet paprika, it is recommended to add it at the end of cooking, avoiding overcooking which accentuates its bitterness. Sweet paprika is a versatile spice that can enrich a wide variety of dishes with its unique taste and health benefits.