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January 27, 2005

Paprika Peppers

The paprika pepper (capsicum frutescens) is a broad elongated fruit that is a deep brilliant red when mature. This pepper typically takes about 55 days to the green picking stage and 80 days to fully mature.

The most familiar form of paprika is dried ground. It's a mainstay seasoning in Hungarian dishes and is also often used as a garnish. The flavor of ground paprika can range from mild to hot with the mild variety widely available in supermarkets. The more pungent varieties are typically available only in specialty ethnic markets.

Storing:
For best flavor keep ground paprika no longer than 6 months after purchase and store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

Qualities to Shop For:
Firmness
Free from defects such as wrinkles, cracks, decay, bruising, etc.
Solid color

Suggested Uses for Peppers:
Seasoning: Dried, powdered

Posted by Kelli Little at January 27, 2005 04:10 PM