


If bell peppers have the same scientific classification as cayenne pepper, are bell peppers not spicy? This compound goes to a chemical compound capsaicin. This chemical is thought to be the sole reason why jalapeños are hot and bell peppers are not. Bell peppers do not have capsaicin. Capsaicin attaches itself to the mucous membranes in our mouth, which in turn produces the sensation of hot flashes. The amount of heat in your mouth will vary greatly depending on the type of chili you have eaten. Peppers are ranked according to their heat, or the amount of capsaicin they contain, on a scale known as the Scoville Scale. Capsaicin concentrations are given a number on the Scoville heat unit scale. Bell peppers have no capsaicin, so they don't have a Scoville heat unit, so they're at the bottom of the Scoville scale.
Q: Can I use both crushed red pepper and paprika in the same dish? A: Absolutely! Combining these spices can create a balanced flavor profile with heat and depth.
Red paprika has a sweeter and milder flavor. It may be smoked, which will give it a different flavor altogether. Additionally, Hungarian sweet paprika is milder than Hungarian hot paprika. The hot variety can be hotter than jalapeno. Spanish paprika comes in mild, medium and hot variants.
Chili sauce also tends to be less vinegary than hot sauces in general. Some chili sauces are sugary and sweet (like sweet Thai chili sauce often used for dipping). Others are more akin to a thicker hot sauce.
Bell peppers are rich in vitamin C, which is important for a healthy immune system. They also contain vitamin A, vitamin K, and folate. Bell peppers have some minerals like zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and iron. They are also a good source of water and antioxidants.
That said, black pepper or white pepper has a distinct spiciness and heat level that can match what paprika brings to the table. In fact, I add the same amount of ground black pepper or white pepper when using it to substitute hot paprika in my recipe.
WHIPPING UP DELICIOUS SPICY DISHES WITHOUT HOT PAPRIKA
Chili peppers offer a range of potential health benefits due to their nutritional content and the presence of capsaicin, the compound responsible for their heat. Some of the potential benefits of chili peppers include:
2. SMOKED PAPRIKA
When Christopher Columbus landed in the Bahamas in 1492, he was the first European to have an encounter with any sort of chile pepper plant. He brought the ancestor of all paprika back with him to Europe and specifically to his patrons, the Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella. The king and queen did not care for their fiery heat and sent them to a monastery to be studied. These monks sent them further along across Spain and Portugal. From there, chile peppers made their way across Europe. Some peppers stayed spicy, like those in Calabria, but other European cultures experimented with their breeding and created the sweet and flavorful varieties of peppers that give us paprika today.

