
If you want to add a nice spicy kick without all the overpowering heat, chili powder is a suitable sweet paprika substitute. Despite that, you can’t use chili powder in a 1:1 substitution because of its noticeable savory flavor that comes from a mix of other spices such as onion powder, cumin, garlic, and more. In general, it has an earthy, savory, and slightly spicy taste. But it will do if you’re in a bind or in the middle of garnishing your deviled eggs and curries.

Paprika can range from mild to hot – the flavor also varies from country to country – but almost all plants grown produce the sweet variety. Sweet paprika is mostly composed of the pericarp, with more than half of the seeds removed, whereas hot paprika contains some seeds, stalks, ovules, and calyces. The red, orange or yellow color of paprika is due to its content of carotenoids.
This is the first part of our blog series about capsaicin. Stay tuned to learn about how capsaicin works, why we love it so much, and how to help with a bad chilli burn.
RawSpiceBar provides a range of quality paprika, chili powder, and cayenne for those looking to explore these spices. We offer various grades and flavors to suit any culinary need, from mild to fiery hot.
Chili Powder