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Paprika is known for its smoky and sweet taste, and is commonly used in Hungarian and Spanish cuisine as a seasoning for stews, soups, and meat dishes. On the other hand, bell peppers have a mild and slightly sweet taste, and are often used in salads, stir-fries, and as a topping for pizzas and sandwiches.

Chili products come in a myriad of forms, each with distinct applications in cooking. Ground chili powder, chili flakes, and chili paste are common pantry staples that provide convenient ways to add heat to dishes. Specialty products like chili oil and chili-infused sauces offer concentrated flavor, perfect for drizzling over finished dishes or using as a marinade. Beyond heat, some chili products are valued for their smoky or sweet undertones, which can enhance the complexity of a dish. For instance, chipotle chilies impart a smoky flavor, while certain Asian chili pastes bring a blend of sweetness and spice.

Pronounced as “gwaa-hee-oh“, guajillo is hotter than ancho chili powder and brings a spicy kick that ranges from 2,500 to 5,000 SHU. Apart from its spicy taste, this substitute has a lot more going on in flavor than cayenne. It is pleasingly sharp, tangy, and smoky just like paprika. That is why it’s also a good substitute for both hot and smoked paprika.

Crushed red pepper factories are responsible for processing and packaging the dried and crushed fruits of the Capsicum annuum plant, typically the cayenne pepper variety. These peppers are harvested when they are fully ripe and have developed their signature spicy flavor. The peppers are then dried and ground into flakes or powder, which are then packaged and sold to consumers.

Of course, you could always leave the hot sauce to the experts. At Hongrispice, each bottle purchased directly supports the community gardens and urban farms who grow peppers to make these hot sauces. So you not only get a great flavor, but also the satisfying feeling of supporting small farmers right in your very city. So why don’t you pick up a variety pack and compare what our very own Culinary of Institute of America Chef King Phojanakong has whipped up with what you can create in the kitchen?

Paprika is used in a variety of different cuisines but it’s adored by Hungarians. You won’t find a goulash without it. In Spain and Mexico it’s used to flavour chorizo and paella. And in Portugal and Turkey for stews and soups.

Now, what if you can’t find bell pepper powder at your local grocery store? It requires short work and it can be daunting at first, but you can make your own powder at home. To start, you have to dehydrate them first and then ground them to powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. To use as a backup, simply double the amount as the recipe suggests.

SLOW AND LOW HEAT

Sriracha is a multi-purpose sauce. It can be used in a variety of cuisines, from pasta, seafood and more. But when you’ve run out of this magical hot elixir, go for sambal oelek. Sambal oelek is hands down the best substitute for the thick sriracha sauce packed with heat. It is wildly popular in major grocery stores and it packs a similar punch in the heat department. It is made of much simpler ingredients than sriracha itself. It just has one drawback - you have to add garlic powder to it to get close to the same taste.

However, any variety of smoked paprika won't match the heat level of hot paprika. It's why I also add red pepper flakes, chili flakes, or ground chilies to my recipe when using smoked paprika.