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Bell peppers are not called paprika; rather, they are the primary ingredient used to make paprika. The confusion may arise from the fact that both bell peppers and paprika are derived from the same species of plant, Capsicum annuum. However, the process of turning bell peppers into paprika involves drying and grinding the peppers into a fine powder, resulting in the popular spice known as paprika.

This type of chili sauce is super popular served as a dip for chilled shrimp and other seafood, though it's a wonderful marinade, a general condiment for topping burgers and hot dogs, or for seasoning dishes like meatloaf.

Paprika and bell pepper both belong to the Capsicum annuum species, but they have different origins and varieties.

Different Paprika and Red Chili Powders

Thus, please don't be confused when I use the terms hot or spicy paprika and Hungarian paprika interchangeably.

Paprika oleoresin is a natural extract derived from the spice paprika, which is made from ground, dried Capsicum annuum peppers. The oleoresin is obtained through a solvent extraction process that captures the essential oils, pigments, and flavors of paprika. It is a concentrated form of the spice, often used as a coloring and flavoring agent in the food industry.

Bell peppers, on the other hand, have a sweet and mild flavor, with no spiciness. The sweetness comes from the natural sugars in the pepper, which are more prominent in ripe peppers. Bell peppers come in a variety of colors, including green, red, yellow, and orange, and each color has a slightly different flavor profile. Green bell peppers are the least sweet and have a slightly bitter taste, while red, yellow, and orange bell peppers are sweeter and have a more fruity flavor. Bell peppers are commonly used in Mediterranean, Mexican, and Middle Eastern cuisine, and are a key ingredient in dishes such as fajitas, ratatouille, and stuffed peppers.