Despite its misleading name, sweet paprika, of which Hungarian paprika is one variety, isn't sugary or sweet at all. Instead, it's called sweet paprika to distinguish it from other types of paprika that are spicy. The end zing, or lack thereof, depends on what type of peppers were used to make the spice. Some paprika is made from red bell peppers, while other paprika is made from chili peppers. If you don't have sweet paprika on hand, you can use any number of substitutes, many of which will yield flavorful results.
Anatomy of a Bell Pepper


The word paprika is Hungarian for pepper. At its core, paprika is a powder made up of dried and finely ground red peppers. This globally popular spice can be sweet, spicy, or smoked. Not only does paprika add rich flavor, but also a beautiful red color to dishes.

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.
Of course, you can add more of the spicy ingredient if you want more heat and spiciness. Then, mix until well blended.