Having said this, something as beneficial as capsaicin does not come without any trade-offs. Producing capsaicin takes a lot of energy, which is why some peppers are not spicy. In some cases it makes more sense to make a lot of fruit with less or no capsaicin, thus producing more seed, and getting offspring by overwhelming predators and plagues by sheer volume.
Paprika is Hungary’s national spice; you’ll find it on tables right next to the salt and pepper, and you can’t make time-honored Hungarian food, like goulash, without a heaping helping of paprika. Paprika peppers are grown all over the country though Kalocsa and Szeged, cities located in southern Hungary, are two of the most important regions for paprika production.
Curcumin has also been shown to have benefits for brain health. It can cross the blood-brain barrier and has been found to have neuroprotective properties, meaning it can help protect the brain from age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
To create the same flavor as smoked paprika using the suggestions above will be your best bet. But if you want to add some heat that can be found in hot smoked paprika, use any of the substitutes above paired with hot red pepper flakes.
The flavor and heat level of paprika can vary depending on the type of pepper used. Sweet paprika is made from sweet red peppers, such as bell peppers, and has a mild, sweet flavor with little to no heat. On the other hand, hot paprika is made from hotter varieties of red peppers, such as cayenne or chili peppers, and has a spicier, more intense flavor.
WHAT IS PAPRIKA USED FOR?
Hungarian Paprika is often found in casseroles, white cheeses, chili, egg dishes, marinades, rubs, salads, stews and it also goes well with most vegetables, pork and rice dishes.


2. Time to choose your grinding style! You’ve got a few options to play with:
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.