Paprika, 120-140 ASTA (Premium)

This bright paprika seasoning offers both middling heat and brilliant color. Zsa Zsa Gabor didn’t have this much flash and sparkle (though both are quite spicy).

In stock
SKU
SCH3717BLK
As low as $6.55
Paprika

Premium paprika 120-140 ASTA, sounds rather scientific. ASTA stands for the American Spice Trade Association, a group founded in 1907 that represents spice producers, brokers, growers, dehydrators, traders and so on. The ASTA number simply refers to the brightness of the red color and is a means of classification (which, as we’ve discussed, is quite needed for paprika). 120-140 is bright red paprika that has a slightly smoky, very sweet smell with bitter notes at the back. This is the paprika seasoning of choice for everyday cooking and for when the dish needs seriously bright red color.

If there was any spice with a more complicated history or confusing categorization, it must be paprika. Paprika is made from the Capsicum annuum plant, which sounds simple enough. However, there are dozens of varieties of this pepper - both chile and bell. Yet, genetically, they’re all the same species. (Think of it in the way all people are human, but look very different from each other.)

Paprika spice is technically native to North and Central America and was used by the indigenous peoples as a food and as a coloring agent. Spanish explorers became enamored with the plant and brought it back to Spain along with tomatoes, potatoes, and other produce. The Spanish – particularly the lower classes, as the heat of paprika was considered undignified by the rich – began using the seeds in food preparation.

The seeds spread past Iberia to Turkey and throughout the Ottoman Empire, as well as throughout Europe to the Balkan countries and Russia. Later on it became endeared by India and the Middle East. And, of course, each country began breeding it to their tastes; the Spanish by smoking it, the Turks preferring hotter varieties, and the Hungarians loved it sweet and mild. Hungary and Spain, however, are the major producers of paprika, with the United States as a distant third.

Thus, we have endless varieties of paprika. Whew.

More Information
IngredientsDried red peppers.
Recommended ApplicationsThis Paprika, rich in color with a slightly smoky flavor is great with stews, egg dishes, rice dishes, poultry shrimp, steamed vegetables or rice dishes. Also wonderful when added to a cream based sauce or soup.
Basic PreparationReady to use as is, no preparation is necessary.
CuisineCajun, European, Hungarian, Indian, Middle Eastern, Spanish
Taste & AromaSweet
Handling / StorageStore in a cool, dry place.
Shelf Life1.5 years
Product StylePowder
Country of OriginUnited States
Dietary PreferencesAll Natural, Gluten-Free, Kosher Parve, Non-GMO
Allergen InformationNone Specified

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