Paprika originated in Mexico, but it was Christopher Columbus who brought it to Europe in the 15th century. The spice became popular in Hungary, where it was cultivated and improved over the centuries. Today, Hungary is known for producing some of the best paprika in the world, with a range of varieties that vary in flavor, heat, and color.

Incorporate this with a 1:1 Cajun spice to smoked paprika ratio (more if your bottle at home is milder or less if it’s spicier). 

Paprika is a spice made from dried red peppers that are ground into a powder. Depending on what type of paprika it is, it'll be made from a different variety of red pepper. It has a sweet, pungent, earthy, and somewhat fruity flavor, and varying levels of heat, ranging from the most common very-mild type to the less popular pretty-hot. Good paprika should have a pronounced aroma that you'll notice when you take a whiff from the jar, and it needs to be thrown out after six months as it will lose its potency over time.