What Is Smoked Paprika
Paprika is a dried ground spice made from a variety of red bell peppers, also known in Latin as Capsicum annum. This vibrant red spice varies in flavor, heat level and color depending on the type of pepper used. The different types of peppers found in paprika can consist of hot chili peppers, cayenne peppers, poblano peppers, sweet peppers, and others. Paprika’s wide ranging color varieties depend solely on where the paprika has been sourced. Although originally cultivated in Central Mexico, paprika is also produced in Hungary, Morocco, Spain, Turkey and the U.S. Most Paprika used in traditional cooking has a sweet and mild flavor. Others can be spicy and hot depending on the flavor of the chili and cayenne peppers.
How Smoked Paprika Is Made
Smoked paprika is traditionally made by slow roasting peppers over an open fire. Oak is the most common wood used in this process to give it that smoky wood flavor. Once the peppers have been roasted and dried, they are ground into a fine powder. The result is a spice full of smoky flavor that is versatile in any kind of cooking.
When looking to create smoked paprika, there are various smoking techniques that can be used. However, we have found that the process that creates the best smoked paprika is cold smoking. Here at The Original Cold Smoked Salt and Pepper Company, we use a time honored method of cold smoking in our custom artisan pottery smokers which gives our smoked paprika a pure smoky flavor. This unique process dates back hundreds or possibly thousands of years.
The Cold Smoking Process
The type of wood you want to use for smoking paprika depends on the final flavor profile you’re looking to create. Some of the most popular woods used when smoking paprika are hickory, mesquite, pecan and even fruity woods like apple.
Unlike many smoking processes that apply heat to the food, when you’re smoking paprika you want to use a cold smoking process. This slow technique involves immersing the paprika in the smoke for an extended period of time without exposing it directly to the heat.
This will ensure the flavor profile from the smoke can adhere directly to the paprika without cooking it, changing the flavor, or altering the texture in any way. It’s the perfect way to smoke paprika, and that’s exactly what we do at The Original Cold Smoked Salt and Pepper Co!
Types Of Smoked Paprika
If you’re interested in smoked paprika there’s no shortage of flavors and types to choose from.
We’ve highlighted four unique flavors for you to consider here!
1.
Applewood Smoked Paprika
Whether you’re grilling beef or poultry, serving a soup or stew or just want to add a little extra flavor to your vegetables, our Applewood Smoked Paprika is the ideal choice. Perfect for cooking or finishing, our Applewood Smoked Paprika adds just the right amount of mild, smoky flavor to your dishes.
2.
Hickory Smoked Paprika
When adding flavor to your dishes, paprika is a spice that can perfect any meal. Our Hickory Smoked Paprika takes dinner to a whole new level with a bold and smoky flavor that intertwines sweet and savory in one singular spice.
3.
Pecan Smoked Paprika
Our uniquely flavored Pecan Smoked Paprika is perfect for adding a mild smoky sweetness to your favorite dishes. The subtle nuttiness of pecan, woven together with the distinctive notes of paprika, create the perfect seasoning in our Pecan Smoked Paprika.
4.
Mesquite Smoked Paprika
This paprika is smoked with all natural mesquite wood chips in custom made artesian pottery smokers, resulting in a bold, sharp and earthy flavor that will perfect any meal.
Smoked Paprika Recipes
Don’t know where to start using smoked paprika? Don’t worry we’ve got you covered. We have a wide variety of great recipes for you in our recipes blog, and we’ve highlighted two of our favorites for you here!
Smoked Chicken Leg
There are seemingly endless ways to cook chicken, and you will find endless recipes everywhere you look. But sometimes, you just need something quick, easy and tasty. That’s why we created an incredibly simple recipe with our very own Mesquite Smoked Paprika that’s still packed full of flavor.
Cowboy Potatoes
This recipe has only a handful of ingredients, including our own Hickory Smoked Paprika, and requires minimal prep work and time. The flavor will transport you to an open campfire out on the range with your horse and fellow cowboys as the daylight melts into the horizon.
Tantalize Your Taste Buds with The Original Smoked Paprika Today!
Now that you know the answer to “what is smoked paprika”, it’s time for you to try it out for yourself! The Original Cold Smoked Salt and Pepper Co. has four distinct flavors to choose from, and each will elevate your recipes to perfection!
