Paprika is a spice made from dried red peppers that are ground into a powder. Depending on what type of paprika it is, it'll be made from a different variety of red pepper. It has a sweet, pungent, earthy, and somewhat fruity flavor, and varying levels of heat, ranging from the most common very-mild type to the less popular pretty-hot. Good paprika should have a pronounced aroma that you'll notice when you take a whiff from the jar, and it needs to be thrown out after six months as it will lose its potency over time.
Hungary has an incredibly complex grading system for their various paprikas. It measures flavor, color, and heat level, and each paprika falls into one of 8 distinct categories. Needless to say, Hungarians take their paprika very seriously!
“Regular” paprika, also called American, sweet, basic, or Domestic Paprika, is what’s found in most grocery stores. It is gentle and earthy with an unassertive flavor. Regular paprika is never smoked. It makes a terrific backdrop for more strongly-flavored ingredients, so it’s often used as a flavor base in dry rubs or blends. It is often favored for its ability to deliver a bold, red color.
Heat Level: Hot
