What is paprika

7

What is paprika

paprika

Paprika is a well-known spice, a powder made from the pepper plant known scientifically as (Capsicum annuum). It is an annual plant with a branched stem, its height ranges between (50-150) cm, its upper leaves are dark green, while the lower leaves are light green, and its flowers are white

Paprika may be sweet or hot, depending on the way it is prepared and the type of pepper used to prepare it. The method of drying the pepper used is one of the important things in maintaining the nutritional benefit of paprika; Whereas, sun-dried peppers retain their nutritional benefits and do not lose them, unlike other methods used in drying, which lose the product’s nutritional benefits. Paprika is used in preparing many dishes and recipes, such as main meals containing chicken and fish, salads and soups, and sauces such as cheese sauce and tomato sauce.

Paprika nutritional composition

The following table shows the nutritional composition of each 100 g of paprika spice:

nutritional element

Nutritional value

Water
11.24 grams
energy
282 calories
Protein
14.14 grams
Fats
0.94 g
carbohydrates
53.99 grams
Calcium
229 milligrams
Iron
21.14 milligrams
magnesium
178 milligrams
phosphorous
314 milligrams
potassium
2280 milligrams
Sodium
68 milligrams
zinc
4.33 milligrams
vitamin C
 .9 milligrams
Vitamin B6
2,141 milligrams
Vitamin J
29.10 milligrams
Vitamin K
80.3 µg
Fats
12.89 grams
 Dietary fiber
34.9 grams
sugars
10.34 grams

For more information about What is peppermint? you can read the article what is peppermint?

The history of paprika

The word paprika refers to the powder made from the pepper plant, but some European countries use the word paprika to refer specifically to the pepper plant, or to any fruit that has the shape of a bell. Paprika is made from sweet peppers of different colors, as well as from hot peppers. The original home of paprika is southern Mexico, Central America, and the Antilles, where the Indians used it to heal wounds, and as a kind of spice, then Christopher Columbus transported it to Europe.

Most commercial sweet peppers today come from Spain, Hungary, South America, and California in the United States of America. In the nineteenth century, two Hungarian brothers were able to manufacture sweet paprika by grinding peppers without the seeds and stalks. In 1879, a French chef transferred paprika from Hungary to the kitchens of Western Europe.  In 1937, Hungarian researcher Dr. Albert Szent Georgi won the Nobel Prize for his research on the sweet pepper plant from which paprika is made; He discovered that pepper contains seven times more vitamin C than oranges.

Hungarian paprika is considered one of the best types of paprika in the world, and there are several varieties, namely:  

  • High quality: It is the oldest type of paprika, it has a sweet taste, a bright red color, and a pleasant smell.
  • Appetite: Its color is between light and dark red, and its taste is cold.
  • Excellent Appetite: Similar to the delicious paprika, except that it is slightly pungent.
  • Excellent pungent appetite: more savory than the previous type.
  • Rosacea: It is pale red in color, has a strong aroma and a mild taste.
  • Luxurious Sweet: Its color is bright red, and it tastes slightly pungent, and it is the most popular type of paprika in export.
  • Medium sweetness: it has a medium sweetness.
  • Hara: It has a spicy flavor and is light brown in color.

paprika uses

Paprika is used in preparing a wide range of dishes all over the world, and is especially popular in Hungary and neighboring countries, and is an essential ingredient in Mexican and Portuguese cuisine. Paprika is used in many European countries to prepare sausages, and it is also used to season and color many dishes, such as rice, soups, and stews. he is also used to prepare the Indian dish ( tandoori chicken ) and give it a distinctive red color, and it is also used with vinegar and olive oil to season salads.

For more information about Where is collagen found in herbs? you can read the article Where is collagen found in herbs?

paprika benefits

To learn about the benefits of paprika, it is necessary to learn about the benefits of the pepper fruits from which it is made, including:

  • Pepper is used to treating digestive problems, such as upset stomach, stomach pain, and gas.
  • Pepper is good for the heart; It helps to stimulate blood circulation and prevents increased blood clotting, high cholesterol, and heart disease.
  • The pepper from which is made is a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin C, dietary fiber, and natural sugar.
  • Pepper is used to treating toothaches, seasickness, malaria, and fever.
  • Pepper is applied to the skin to relieve pain caused by shingles (a painful rash, also called shingles), arthritis, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia.
  • It is used topically for nerve pain associated with diabetes, HIV, and back pain.
  • Apply to the skin to relieve muscle spasms.
  • For the treatment of hay fever, migraines, cluster headaches, and sinus infections.
  • It is used in the manufacture of pepper spray for self-defense.
  • Eating pepper is useful for the renewal of skin cells and protection from ultraviolet rays; It contains capsaicin.
  • It is useful in combating the growth of cancer cells and preventing prostate cancer thanks to its richness in capsaicin and antioxidants.

paprika storage

Paprika should be bought in small quantities and stored in tightly closed containers away from sunlight and kept in a dry and cool place so that the temperature is between (4-15) degrees Celsius in order to retain its color. Light and prolonged storage affect the stability of the pigments beta-carotene and capsaicin, causing he to lose its color.  Paprika can also be placed in the refrigerator or freezer to retain its color and flavor for a longer period.