Because paprika and cayenne come from peppers, both can technically trace their roots back to the Americas. However, the two spices don’t come from the same kind of pepper—nor are they prepared the same way.
In a nutshell: capsaicin is a lipophilic compound that can be found in different concentrations in peppers that are described as hot, such as Habanero, Jalapeño, and Scorpion. It is a compound that produces a burning sensation in any tissue it comes into contact with. So, the more capsaicin in the pepper, the more the heat gets turned up.
Physical Characteristics


Why We Love It: You don’t have to make a deal with the devil to save your deviled eggs, you just need a jar or two of this delicious Caribbean-inspired hot sauce. With habanero peppers, mustard seed, and our proprietary blend of spices, this one pairs perfectly with just about anything you care to eat, though we think it’s particularly well-suited to egg dishes of all varieties.
Why We Love It: While it’s technically considered a “medium” hot sauce, we think this one is mild enough to win over even the most heat-averse skeptics. With a little heat and a lot of flavor, this mild hot sauce is a customer favorite. That’s because this one features a friendly blend of cayenne and habanero peppers to give it just enough heat to warm you up and qualify as hot sauce but not so much that it’ll have you begging for mercy (if that’s more your cup of tea, check out our assortment of extreme hot sauces). And with a hint of garlic flavor, it enhances any savory dish you can dream up.
For big proportions and mild needs: Spicy ketchup
Smoked paprika, often called pimenton, or smoked Spanish paprika is made from peppers that are smoked, dried over oak fires and then crushed into a fine, bright red powder. Bringing a deeper, richer, cooler flavour to the table. When it comes to heat, smoked paprika can be mild (pimentón dulce), medium (pimentón agridulce), or hot (pimentón picante).
Did you know? The vibrant red colour of paprika is because it contains high levels of carotene, the same pigment found most notably in, believe it or not, carrots.