Smoked Sweet Paprika

Origin of the word paprika has many colorful stories associated with it.

One story comes out of the Hindu legend, that the spice was named after a religious Indian man by the name of Rysh Paprike. Etymological roots of the words is said to originate from the Slavic languages (pepperke, pipeka meaning pepper) that was translated into Latin - Piper  to mean pepper.

Like all languages we are some how connected and what better way to begin that with food.

This smoked sweet paprika has a wonderful flavor and aroma to it, especially when cooked with rice or chicken or even in a soup to give a warmer feeling and taste.

Cultivated in the US and smoked to achieve the best flavor.

Paprika - Capsicum annuum

Paprika is not a pepper.

It comes from the nightshade family- Solanceae.

It is a relative of the pepper.

Originally from South America, but varieties have been cultivated in in the Northern Hemisphere in countries like Spain, Hungary, Turkey and the United States.

These northern hemisphere cultivation has bred out the capsaicin content of the pepper thus making it milder and sweeter.

Capsaicin content in the pepper is what makes it hot or gives the burning sensation to the taste buds.

It activates the nerve endings of the tongue to send signals to the brain indicating pain, consequently inducing the body to release endorphins, the body's natural pain killers while giving rise to euphoric and pleasure sensations.

Our paprika is from the USA and has a dinstictive russet-red color.

Something all fresh and good quality paprika must be like.

It is extremely mild in heat level but full of robustness, aromatic, flavorful and alive.

What are Spices

Spices come as fruits, berries, flowers, seeds, barks and roots.

They usually grow and thrive in the tropical regions of the world, although some are found in temperate parts too.

Most of the spices come out of the South East Asian part of the globe.

Some spices like vanilla, various chilies and allspice are indigenous to Central America,

but have been cultivated extensively in other parts of the world.

Herbs are sometimes considered spices, especially when they produce seeds and stamens like dill and saffron.

The sources of flavors of spices are contained in their essential oils that are concentrated when they are dried.

Drying spices enables the longevity of the product and therefore can be transported across the oceans, thousands of miles away from its origin making it the most sought after commodity in human history.

Spices have connected humans across the globe, caused countless wars, indirectly leading Columbus to the discovery of the New World and made the world a 'smaller' place.

It is prized not just for its flavors but most especially for it health and curative powers.

Most of our favorite foods are made special because of spices.

The cinnamon roll would be lost without cinnamon, and apple pie is made delicious with that extra bit of cinnamon or allspice.

Clove revolutionized dentistry as it is a natural analgesic and antiseptic.

It is also used for the common cold, bronchitis and has antimicrobial and antifungal properties.

Ginger was and is stilled used for circulatory conditions, colds and rheumatism.

Turmeric has been used for anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer.

Human civilization depended on spices and herbs for their survival.

It enabled for preservation of food, and used substitution for money in trade and taxation and embalming of the dead.

Once, only for the rich and privileged, spices are now widely available to practically all economic brackets.

The irony of scarcity and rarity of spices changed human history.

It brought about a global community that shares the desire of same food flavors and health benefits.

Now in abundance and availability, the spice world is going through its own renaissance as more people on the planet re-discover that it is not just about flavoring food but rather the hidden health benefits for life management.