There is no easy answer to where paprika comes from. While paprika is closely associated with Hungary and Hungarian cuisine, paprika peppers did not arrive in that part of the world until the mid to late 16th century. The origin of all peppers can be traced to South America, where they grew wild and were distributed throughout South and Central America, mostly by birds. Eventually, peppers were cultivated, and native traders travelling through these regions carried them across the Caribbean as cargo in dugout canoes.  

What is the difference between them, and is there any? In this article, we will talk about the types of peppers, beneficial properties, health hazards, and also what determines the degree of pungency. The origin of paprika What is paprika? The plant has several more names: Hungarian, Bulgarian or sweet peppers. He appeared in the vastness of Europe thanks to Columbus, who at one time went to India for black pepper, but missed a little, and found himself off the coast of Central America. Having tasted the hot pepper, the navigator decided that it was quite capable of replacing black peppercorns, which in those days was worth its weight in gold. After Columbus returned to Spain, monks took up the cultivation of the plant. To turn the fruit into a seasoning, they were harvested and dried using fire smoke. The pepper eventually acquired a smoky aroma and flavor. In other European countries, peppers were dried in a different way. The fruits were laid out on large trays, slightly dried, then strung on jute and hung to dry in the sun. Name bell pepper»I got paprika thanks to breeders of Bulgaria. On the basis of a vegetable brought by Columbus, they developed a different variety, with a thicker sweet pulp, devoid of pungency. From Bulgaria, the pepper came to the southern regions of Russia. Since the 17th century, they began to actively grow it in warm climatic zones. Over time, new varieties have appeared that tolerate cold well. In the northern regions, paprika is grown indoors. The culture is unpretentious to growing conditions, despite the fact that it needs a sufficient amount of sunlight. In modern conditions, this is achieved with the help of artificial light sources. Beneficial features Paprika is an extremely healthy vegetable with a unique set of vitamins and minerals. In 1937, Alfred Szent-Györgyi (Nobel laureate in medicine), while researching the negative effects of paprika on the human body, discovered a huge amount of vitamin C in fruits. As it turned out, the vegetable contains five times more ascorbic acid than lemons. 100 g of paprika contains 150 mg of vitamin C with a daily human need of 60 mg. Moreover, an overdose is impossible. The excess leaves the body with urine. In addition to ascorbic acid, paprika contains: vitamins A, B1, B3, B2, B6, B5, B9, E, K, P, C; zinc; iodine; phosphorus; iron; calcium; sodium; potassium. With regular use of sweet red pepper, the following occurs: increased immunity; improvement of the body as a whole; improved blood test performance; strengthening the cardiovascular system; normalization of the processes of food digestion and assimilation of nutrients; reducing the risk of cancer; normalization of metabolism; improvement of vision (especially with myopia); increased production of endorphins (useful for stress, depression, loss of energy); improving memory; strengthening hair and nails; reduction of excess weight and edema; normalization of the state of ODA in osteoporosis; regulation of blood pressure. Paprika contains a substance called capsaicin, which thins the blood and reduces the risk of blood clots. Fiber promotes the elimination of toxins and toxins, improves intestinal peristalsis. Paprika types Paprika varieties differ in fruit shape and pungency. The severity depends on the amount of capsaicin. Hot pepper contains about 1% of the substance, sweet - 0.01%. For example, in Hungary, vegetables are divided into seven types, but under the general name paprika: noble sweet dark red color with a delicate aroma; delicacy with a slight pungency; gentle, not spicy, with a pleasant taste; semi-sweet; pink of medium pungency, pale red with an intense odor; yellow in color with a burning taste; special sweet red. Contraindications and harm of paprika Paprika is not recommended for use when: disorders of the kidneys and pancreas; gastritis; inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract; ulcerative and erosive lesions of the stomach and duodenum; angina pectoris; allergic reactions; colitis; ischemia of the heart muscle; tachycardia; increased acidity of gastric juice. What is red pepper Hot red peppers are native to America. This is the same culture that was brought by the Spanish seafarers, who went for Indian spices, but by coincidence they discovered a new continent. The shape is not as varied as that of sweet peppers... The fruits are often round or elongated. The color is yellow, red or dark olive. In Russia, red peppers are most often found, resembling a proboscis. Culture loves sun and warmth. The ideal growing environment is greenhouses. If desired, the plant can be grown at home on a windowsill. The substance capsaicin gives the fruit its characteristic pungent taste. The more it is, the sharper the red pepper. The fruits contain: carotenoids; calcium; fixed oils; sulfur; iron; B vitamins; ascorbic acid. Due to its rich chemical composition, red pepper has a powerful effect on the body, enhances the effect of drugs. What is the difference between paprika and red ground pepper Are paprika and red pepper the same thing or not? Our answer is yes! Spices are made from a single plant. The only difference is the degree of severity. Sweet paprika fruits are mild or slightly pungent. After drying, the pepper is turned into powder or flakes. The flavor of the spice depends on the drying method. There is smoked paprika on sale, which has a pronounced aroma. A hot red pepper is often added to the sweet pepper powder. This enhances the flavor and adds zest. Ground red pepper is made from hot paprika. The spice is used in cooking, medicine and cosmetology. What is the Difference Between Paprika and Bell Pepper Bulgarian, sweet peppers, paprika are the names of one culture. Paprika means pepper in Hungarian. There are many varieties of paprika in the world of different colors, shapes and sizes, with different taste characteristics and degrees of pungency. In Russia, the most popular is Bulgarian pepper with a thick skin and pulp. In Italy, they prefer the sweet fruits of Peperoncino or Cubanella, with a thin skin and a fragrant aroma. The Spaniards love the spicy cone-shaped Piquillo peppers or the sweet Pimento peppers with a delicious aroma and thin skin. How to replace paprika If we talk about paprika as a seasoning, then if necessary, it can be replaced with ground red or cayenne pepper. Only in this case it will be necessary to regulate the amount, because these spices have a burning taste. Powdered sweet paprika often lacks pungency. When buying seasoning in sachets, pay attention to the composition. Some manufacturers add hot peppers to it to enhance the taste. The usual seasoning in powder will be replaced by smoked paprika in flakes. Alternatively, use cinnamon, nutmeg, black or allspice, and curry. Conclusion To understand how paprika differs from ground red pepper, when it comes to spices, you just have to taste them once. Sweet paprika is fragrant and practically devoid of pungency, red ground pepper has a scalding taste. This is where the differences between them end, because both spices are produced from the same plant, with different degrees of pungency, but with the same beneficial properties. This applies to fruits both fresh and dried.