I highly advise that you gradually add the powdered or crushed red pepper flakes to your recipe. Start with one-third of a teaspoon for every teaspoon of paprika. Give it a taste to check the heat and spiciness, and add more when needed.

There are several types of paprika, including sweet, hot, and smoked. The heat level of paprika is measured on the Scoville scale, which ranges from 0 (no heat) to over 2 million (extremely hot). Some of the most popular varieties of paprika include:

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.

What's a substitute for paprika? is a question you can now easily answer with the help of my list. Simply choose the best paprika substitute for your specific recipe and follow the how-tos and tips I have provided for each ingredient alternative.

Yes, paprika and paprika powder generally refer to the same thing. Paprika is a spice made from grinding dried red fruits of the Capsicum annuum family, such as bell peppers or chili peppers, into a fine powder. This powder is commonly known as paprika and is used to add flavor, color, and sometimes heat to a wide variety of dishes.