Paprika
What is Paprika?
Paprika is a ground spice made from dried and pulverised red peppers (Capsicum annuum), ranging in heat from very mild (sweet paprika) to moderately hot (hot paprika) depending on the variety of pepper used and how much of the seeds and pith is included in the grinding. The flavour of paprika is sweet, slightly fruity, and mildly smoky (in the smoked varieties), and the colour it contributes to food is a vivid deep red that is distinctive and visually striking.
In Afghan and Middle Eastern cooking, paprika serves primarily as a colouring and mild flavouring agent in kabob marinades, spice rubs, and slow-cooked stews. It contributes the warm red colour visible on the exterior of grilled kabob without adding significant heat. At Naan Kabob, paprika is part of the house spice blend used in the kabob marinade - contributing colour and a mild sweetness that rounds out the earthier notes of cumin and coriander.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is paprika hot?
Sweet paprika (the most common variety) is not hot at all - it is mild and slightly sweet, used primarily for colour. Hot paprika has some heat, and smoked paprika has a distinctive smoky flavour. In Afghan cooking, sweet paprika is the standard choice; the hot varieties are less common.
What gives Afghan kabob its red colour?
The red-orange colour of grilled Afghan kabob comes from a combination of paprika in the marinade, the Maillard reaction (charring of protein and sugars), and sometimes a small amount of turmeric. It is not artificial food colouring - unlike the very vivid red of some commercial tandoori preparations, which often use food dye.
Is smoked paprika used in Afghan cooking?
Traditional Afghan cooking predates smoked paprika as a widely available ingredient. Standard sweet paprika is the traditional choice in Afghan spice blends. Smoked paprika is a Spanish product and is not part of the authentic Afghan spice tradition, though it may appear in fusion interpretations.
See also: Chilli ,Spice Blend ,Marination
The warm colour of Naan Kabob's kabob comes from natural spices - grilled fresh at all GTA locations.
