- When using red dried chiles in cooking, it's important to handle them with care, as their oils can irritate the skin and eyes. To mellow out the heat of the chiles, you can remove the seeds and inner membranes before using them in recipes. You can also toast the chiles in a dry skillet before using them to enhance their flavor.
Hot peppers have been around for as long as humans can recall, and for some cultures, they are part of their identity and heritage. But how much do you know about the science behind the spiciness in hot peppers? Well, get ready to learn about the chemical substance responsible for the fire in chilies: capsaicin.



Q: Are there different types of paprika? A: Yes, paprika comes in various types, including sweet, smoked, and hot, each with its own flavor and heat profile.
In case you run out, use the following sweet or regular paprika substitution options below:
Chili powders come in at between 500 and 1,500 Scoville units. That's enough to produce a mild burn, but not enough to make really spicy foods.
Many crushed chili pepper factories work closely with farmers and suppliers to source the best quality chili peppers for their products. By maintaining strong relationships with these suppliers, the factories can ensure a consistent supply of chili peppers year-round, regardless of seasonal fluctuations in crop yields.
WHAT TO SUBSTITUTE FOR PAPRIKA
Of course, you could always leave the hot sauce to the experts. At Hongrispice, each bottle purchased directly supports the community gardens and urban farms who grow peppers to make these hot sauces. So you not only get a great flavor, but also the satisfying feeling of supporting small farmers right in your very city. So why don’t you pick up a variety pack and compare what our very own Culinary of Institute of America Chef King Phojanakong has whipped up with what you can create in the kitchen?
To recreate the spice of hot paprika, the best substitute is another dried chilli, like ground cayenne, aleppo pepper powder, crushed red pepper flakes, red chilli powder, or even a dash of hot sauce. If your recipe calls for smokiness and sweetness, try chipotle chilli powder or ancho pepper powder. Chipotle powder has a smoky taste, but is hotter than paprika with a more earthy flavour, lending itself to barbecue sauces, rubs and chillis. Due to the difference in heat, use a ¼ teaspoon of chipotle powder for every teaspoon of paprika and adjust depending on your taste buds.
If you’re looking to replicate the flavour of sweet paprika add a pinch of sugar or some honey. Adding mild chilli powder or tomato powder works too. Bell peppers are another great substitute for sweet paprika and they come from the same Capsicum annuum family. Mild, sweet and aromatic, bell peppers give the same delicious taste and aroma, while adding a splash of colour too. When buying your bell peppers, make sure they’re nice and ripe.
One of the best substitutes for paprika is cayenne pepper. It’s a spicy chilli pepper, used to flavour many different cuisines and quite similar in colour. It’s a lot stronger and hotter than paprika, so if you’re using it as a substitute in your cooking, make sure you use a lesser quantity. If you have a lower tolerance to spicy food, you can add salt, cream, chopped tomatoes or more liquid (water or broth) to try and dial down the heat.
Like paprika, chilli powder packs a lot of flavour and is another worthy substitute. It’s also not as spicy as cayenne pepper, so you can use the same quantities. The same goes for cajun spices. A combination of black and white pepper, plus other herbs and spices, it can work as a good substitute for smoked or sweet paprika, offering a similar flavour. But you won’t get the same beautiful red colour – more of an orange, warm hue.
You can also use cumin instead of paprika. But it’s a lot hotter, so go easy on the quantities. Like cajun spices, you won’t achieve the gorgeous red colour of paprika, as cumin has more of a yellowy-brown colouring, but you’ll still get an earthy flavour with hints of bitterness and sweetness.
I also would like to mention that there's a type of hot paprika popular in Europe: the Hungarian variety. It is also available in different coarseness and heat levels, so hot paprika is often called Hungarian paprika.
Another important aspect of raw turmeric powder suppliers is their commitment to sustainability. Many suppliers source their turmeric from sustainable and ethical sources, ensuring that their products have a minimal impact on the environment. By supporting these suppliers, consumers can feel good about making a positive impact on the planet.

