Paprika is made from the ground flesh of the paprika chile
pepper. It is used both as a spice and a garnish in a variety
of dishes. Its color ranges from burnt orange to deep red.
Paprika's taste can vary dramatically from mild to pungent.
The standard grocery store variety is generally mild. If you
wish for a more powerful taste, specialty and gourmet shops
have more variety. There will usually be a taste guide on
the label of any prepackaged paprika.
Although Spain, Portugal and California produce much commercial
paprika, Hungary is most associated with this spice. It is,
in fact, their national spice and is a staple in Hungarian
cuisine. Goulash, stew and many chicken and fish dishes often
include paprika.
Store paprika in a cool, dark place in an airtight container
for no more than 6 months.
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