Q: Are there different types of paprika? A: Yes, paprika comes in various types, including sweet, smoked, and hot, each with its own flavor and heat profile.

Paprika can be made from several different varietals of the chile pepper family Capsicum annuum, though the different peppers all tend to be of the relatively long, tapered kind with thinner flesh. Fat, thick-fleshed sweet peppers, like a standard Bell pepper that you’ll find in your average grocery store, often don’t dry well enough to make a ground product and are prone to mold. They are valued for their bright red color as much as--or even more than--their flavor. The American Spice Trade Association, or ASTA, came up with a scale to measure paprika's color. The ASTA score goes from 50-180; 85 is a standard-grade color value. As the numbers go up, the color of the paprika is more saturated and vibrant.

On the other hand, paprika is much milder and the SHU ranges from 100-1,500 SHU, again depending on the variety of the plant it comes from. As far as the heat factor is concerned, the Indian red chili powder is much hotter than paprika.

While paprika also comes from the capsicum plant, it is sweeter and milder than the hot varieties of red chili peppers. Though the paprika pepper is commonly used in Hungary and Spain, it also grows extensively in the US. Red peppers that are bright red in color when growing are typically sweeter and milder than the yellow or brown ones, which may be hotter.

In addition to producing dried chilli padi, some manufacturers also create a variety of chilli-based products, such as chilli paste, chilli oil, and chilli flakes. These products are perfect for adding an extra kick of heat to any dish and can be used in marinades, sauces, and dressings.