Paprika

Paprika is a spice widely used in Spanish cuisine that adds a distinctive flavour and colour to many dishes. Its history goes back centuries, and its production is still a traditional process that has endured over time. 

Paprika is obtained from ripe red peppers, which undergo a drying and grinding process. The history of paprika is closely linked to the region of La Vera, in the province of Cáceres, in Extremadura, Spain. In this area, the climate and soil are conducive to the cultivation of peppers with special characteristics, and the traditional smoke-drying technique gives it a unique flavour and aroma. 

The process of making paprika begins with the harvesting of the peppers, which generally takes place in the summer and autumn. Once harvested, they are washed and deseeded and then dried. The peppers are placed in traditional drying sheds known as 'secaderos de pimentón' and smoked using oak or holm oak wood. The smoke produced during drying gives the paprika its characteristic smoky flavour and aroma. 

Once the peppers are completely dried, they are ground to obtain paprika powder. Depending on the degree of grinding, different varieties of paprika are obtained, such as sweet, sweet and sour or hot, each with its own level of intensity and pungency. 

Paprika is widely used in Spanish cuisine and is present in numerous traditional dishes. Some prominent examples include: 

Patatas bravas: This popular dish consists of fried potatoes accompanied by a spicy sauce made with paprika and other spices. 

Pulpo a la gallega: A typical Galician dish consisting of cooked and sliced octopus, seasoned with paprika and olive oil. 

Chorizo a la sidra: Paprika is used in the preparation of chorizo, a Spanish sausage, and is combined with cider in a delicious and aromatic recipe. 

In short, paprika is a fundamental spice in Spanish cuisine. Its history goes back centuries, and its traditional processing by drying and smoking peppers gives it a distinctive flavour. It is used in a wide variety of dishes, adding colour, flavour and aroma to Spanish cuisine. 

Among the products in our shop you can find a high quality paprika to use in your recipes, we invite you to have a look, you will not regret it.