What is smoked paprika?
Smoked paprika, also known as pimentón or Spanish smoked paprika, is a spice made from dried and smoked red peppers. It comes in sweet, bittersweet, and hot varieties. Smoked paprika has a deep red color and a smoky, earthy, slightly spicy flavor. It’s an essential ingredient in many Spanish dishes like paella, and is also used to add flavor to stews, chilies, vegetables, eggs, chicken, fish and more.
Where does smoked paprika come from?
Authentic smoked paprika comes from Spain, where it’s been produced for centuries in the La Vera region of Extremadura. The specific pepper used is called Pimentón de la Vera and is grown exclusively in this region. The peppers are slowly smoked over oak fires, giving smoked paprika its signature flavor. While smoked paprika is made in other countries now, Spanish pimentón is still considered the best quality.
Is smoked paprika easy to find in grocery stores?
While it may not be as common as other spices like black pepper or cumin, smoked paprika is not necessarily hard to find. Here’s a look at where you can find it:
Specialty or gourmet grocery stores – Stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Fresh Market, etc. will often stock smoked paprika in the spice section. They’ll have brands from Spain and likely multiple varieties (sweet, hot, etc).
International or Spanish markets – If you have any Hispanic, Latin or specialty Spanish grocers nearby, checked there. They are very likely to carry smoked Spanish paprika.
Online shopping – Tons of sites like Amazon, specialty spice shops and grocery delivery services sell smoked paprika. Buying online gives you access to even more variety.
Major supermarket chains – Stores like Walmart, Kroger, Publix and Safeway may have it in the spice aisle or international food section. Selection may be limited compared to other stores.
So while smoked paprika is not as universally common as salt and pepper, it’s also not super obscure. With over 400,000 varieties of spice in the world, smoked paprika is still fairly mainstream. A quick check of large chain grocers shows it’s available:
| Store | Smoked Paprika Available? |
|---|---|
| Walmart | Yes |
| Target | Yes |
| Kroger | Yes |
| Publix | Yes |
| Aldi | Sometimes |
| Trader Joe’s | Yes |
So while selection may vary depending on your specific grocery options, it’s hardly an impossible to find specialty ingredient for most.
Tips for finding smoked paprika locally
If you aren’t seeing it at your regular grocery store, here are some tips for tracking it down in your area:
– Search for specialty Spanish or gourmet food shops. Even small towns often have at least one.
– Check international markets like Hispanic/Latin grocers.
– Call ahead to confirm stores carry it before making a trip.
– Ask specialty stores like spice shops, gourmet grocers or food co-ops.
– Look for brands like La Chinata, La Vera or El Rey at large supermarkets.
– Check higher end grocers like Whole Foods, Fresh Market, etc. They often have larger spice selections.
– Use a product locator on a brand website to find local retailers.
– Explore farmer’s markets and flea markets for spice vendors.
– Buy it online and have it conveniently delivered if needed.
What if I can’t find it locally?
If you simply can’t find smoked Spanish paprika in stores near you, don’t worry, you have options!
Buy it online – A huge selection is available on Amazon, specialty spice sites and grocery delivery services. Buying online makes it easy to find.
Use regular paprika – In a pinch, substitute regular paprika. It won’t have the smoky flavor, but will work.
Make your own – You can smoke paprika yourself at home with some smoked sea salt and paprika.
Find a substitute – Chipotle powder, smoked chili powder or liquid smoke provide similar smoky spiciness.
Key Takeaways
– Smoked paprika may not be as ubiquitous as table salt and pepper, but it’s reasonably mainstream and found at most grocers.
– Specialty food shops, international markets and higher end grocers are safe bets for finding it.
– If your local stores don’t carry it, buy it online or substitute regular paprika or another smoked spice.
– With some detective work and flexibility, homemade Spanish dishes requiring smoked paprika can still be easily made anywhere.
Conclusion
While smoked paprika may not yet be a staple next to the salt and pepper at every grocer, it has become more widely available. Once found mainly at specialty stores, major retailers now often carry it due to demand. Spanish pimentón can be ordered online everywhere too. So while a bottle of La Chinata may not be impulse buy on every shopping list, smoked paprika can still be readily purchased by most home cooks. With some simple searching both online and in your area, finding that perfect smoky flavor for your next dish shouldn’t be too difficult at all.