Another worthy replacement for smoked paprika is ancho chili powder. It’s made from dried and ground ancho chiles. This pepper is more common in Mexican cooking but found its way into the United States by way of Tex Mex cuisine. They offer mild to medium heat that only ranges from 1,000 to 1,500 SHU. It has a deep, smoky and slightly sweet flavor. For this reason, you don’t have to worry as much when using this as a replacement as it won’t overpower your dish as easily compared to chipotle powder. To use as an effective backup, you can incorporate exactly how much a recipe calls for smoked paprika.

Chinese crushed red pepper, also known as Chinese chili flakes, brings a bold, spicy flavor to dishes. These flakes are made from dried chili peppers and are widely used in Chinese cuisine to add heat and aroma to stir-fries, noodle dishes, and sauces. Chinese crushed red pepper varies in heat level, with some varieties offering a mild warmth suitable for enhancing flavors without overwhelming dishes, while others provide a fiery kick that intensifies the heat.

Despite the potential for allergic reactions, paprika and bell peppers have been found to have therapeutic uses. Capsaicin, a compound found in peppers, has been shown to have analgesic properties and is commonly used in musculoskeletal pain therapies. Capsaicin can be applied topically to the skin to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.

DID YOU KNOW?

Most countries have their own variety of chili peppers, ranging from poblano, serrano, Tabasco, jalapeno, peri-peri, habanero, cayenne and numerous others. Originating in Mexico, the red chili made its way across the world and is used in many cuisines. Many varieties may also be used fresh and green or red or pickled instead of dried and powdered.

Of course, you could always leave the hot sauce to the experts. At Hongrispice, each bottle purchased directly supports the community gardens and urban farms who grow peppers to make these hot sauces. So you not only get a great flavor, but also the satisfying feeling of supporting small farmers right in your very city. So why don’t you pick up a variety pack and compare what our very own Culinary of Institute of America Chef King Phojanakong has whipped up with what you can create in the kitchen?

So, let’s focus on chili powder, or the spice blend that is used to make chili con carne, tacos, and delicious meat rubs. This is genuinely one of my favorite spices, as it alone can often be enough to flavor an entire dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Overall, paprika and bell peppers have distinct physical characteristics that make them unique. Whether you’re cooking with paprika or bell peppers, it’s important to understand their differences to get the most out of your recipes.