Common chili powder ingredients:

The second detail is actually a very well known use for capsaicin: natural pest repellent! Once a plant starts growing, things are not rosy and fine all the time. In fact, the growing process is tough and plants have to survive all types of hardships; from extreme weather conditions to natural predators and getting enough nutrients. What if you could erase one of those hardships? Capsaicin is a natural repellent for insects and even fungi, so the fruit is more likely to develop and mature as it should.

CAYENNE PEPPER

Some are common pantry staples, while others you might haven't heard of yet. Still, you can easily find each of the best paprika substitutes in your local grocery store or online.

What's a Good Paprika Substitute?

Hot sauces are a tasteful balance of flavors. It’s defined as a spicy and flavorful blend of different kinds of peppers and chilis, tomatoes, onions, vinegar, sugar, salt, and spices. It’s this mix of ingredients that creates a sauce that is not just going to activate your taste buds. It will have notes of fruitiness, sweetness from the sugar, a hint of warmth from the ground cumin or bitterness from the green bell peppers, and it might even have a touch of heat from the Sichuan peppercorns or the cayenne pepper that attacks the back of your throat, making you cough. It will also have a tangy flavor courtesy of the vinegar. 

So, how do you use crushed red pepper flakes to substitute for paprika in your recipes? You will need to add one-third of the amount to the same amount of paprika required in your recipe.