China is known for producing a wide variety of spices, and one of the most popular ones is paprika. Paprika is a vibrant red spice made from dried and ground peppers, adding both color and flavor to dishes. In China, paprika is a common ingredient in many traditional dishes, as well as in international cuisines.

While newbies might think all hot sauces just taste like “hot,” they couldn’t be more wrong. Experienced chili-heads understand that every hot sauce has a complex flavor profile as a result of the various peppers and additional ingredients it contains. From goes-with-everything garlic to  tangy vinegar, sweet fruits, refreshing citrus, and beyond, each hot sauce has a complex flavor that can make or break a dish. Get to know your sauce, read the ingredient list, and try a dash on its own to decide how to best utilize the various layers of deliciousness. 

No matter what kind of paprika you choose, make sure you cook it with some kind of liquid. All paprika contains a relatively high amount of natural sugar, so exposure to direct heat on the bottom of the pan can burn it very easily. Because of their very different flavor profiles, we do not recommend substituting smoked paprika for regular paprika, or vice-versa.

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.

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