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.

Q: Is crushed red pepper the same as red pepper flakes? A: Yes, crushed red pepper is often referred to as red pepper flakes, as it consists of dried and crushed red chili peppers.

La Vera Smoked Hot Paprika, also known as picante, is a Spanish paprika that has been smoked the traditional way – in a drying house, over oak wood, for a period of 10-15 days. The end result is a spice that exhibits a deep, dark earthy red color and mild, but noticeable, heat. This spice measures approximately 500 - 1,000 on the Scoville Heat Unit Scale. 

Polyphenols, such as curcumin, have gained popularity because epidemiological studies have repeatedly shown that diets rich in them can provide inflammatory relief. At the molecular level, polyphenols help stabilize oxidation in cellular components. Oxidation can lead to damage to organelles within cells, including mitochondria, the cell powerhouses where much of the cell's energy is produced by the oxygen we breathe. Eating foods with antioxidant properties, such as berries, nuts, healthy fats, and turmeric, is thought to help maintain levels of oxidative damage.

When you look at the plethora of red chili powders available, you may well be confused as to how similar or how different they really are. As for paprika and red chili powder, both are red, though of different shades, and look quite similar.

Therefore, after curcumin is ingested in the body, it is difficult for the gastrointestinal tract to absorb, metabolize and quickly remove from the body. Consuming curcumin in foods rich in lecithin, such as eggs, vegetable oil, and buttermilk, may help increase its absorption through the gut. Studies combining curcumin with piperine, the natural ingredient of black pepper, have shown that because piperine slows the metabolism of curcumin, it increases curcumin levels by a factor of 20.

Heat Level: Hot

WHAT IS PAPRIKA?