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Sweet Paprika

The best versions of this renowned Hungarian spice pack a punch that goes beyond pigment.

Top Pick

WinnerThe Spice House Hungarian Sweet Paprika

This specialty brand outshone the competition with the complexity of its “earthy,” “fruity” flavors and “toasty” aroma, making the slight inconvenience of mail-ordering it well worthwhile.
Price at Time of Testing: $3.28 for 2.5 oz.
This specialty brand outshone the competition with the complexity of its “earthy,” “fruity” flavors and “toasty” aroma, making the slight inconvenience of mail-ordering it well worthwhile.
Price at Time of Testing: $3.28 for 2.5 oz.

What You Need to Know

Some cooks think of paprika as merely a coloring agent for soups and stews or a garnish for deviled eggs. But the best versions of this renowned Hungarian spice pack a punch that goes beyond pigment. Sweet paprika is derived from dried sweet red-pepper pods, a different variety than the peppers that are used for either hot or smoky paprika. We sampled six brands—two from the supermarket and the others ordered online—processing them into a wet paste for our Hungarian Beef Stew and dusting them liberally on deviled eggs. Two specialty paprikas trounced the competition with their full-bodied flavors. Our hands-down favorite boasted a “fruity,” “earthy” balance that one taster likened to the complexity of a dried Mexican chile. The rest of the lineup paled in comparison—and one good whiff of each explained why. In contrast to the rich, slightly toasty aromas of the two top-rated paprikas, the samples from lower rated brands had virtually no scent at all. Not surprisingly, these second-rate spices also tasted “dull” and “one-dimensional.” Our rule of thumb is to replace ground spices after a year. But for best results, always smell spices before you use them; if the scent is faint, it’s time to open a new jar.

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Everything We Tested

Highly Recommended

WinnerThe Spice House Hungarian Sweet Paprika

This specialty brand outshone the competition with the complexity of its “earthy,” “fruity” flavors and “toasty” aroma, making the slight inconvenience of mail-ordering it well worthwhile.
Price at Time of Testing: $3.28 for 2.5 oz.
This specialty brand outshone the competition with the complexity of its “earthy,” “fruity” flavors and “toasty” aroma, making the slight inconvenience of mail-ordering it well worthwhile.
Price at Time of Testing: $3.28 for 2.5 oz.

Recommended

Penzeys Hungarian Sweet Kulonleges Paprika

Almost as bright and bold as The Spice House paprika, but with noticeably more “heat” (despite being a sweet variety) and a slightly more “vegetal bite.” Note: This same product was previously named "Hungary Sweet."
Price at Time of Testing: $3.89 for 2.4 oz.
Almost as bright and bold as The Spice House paprika, but with noticeably more “heat” (despite being a sweet variety) and a slightly more “vegetal bite.” Note: This same product was previously named "Hungary Sweet."
Price at Time of Testing: $3.89 for 2.4 oz.

Recommended with reservations

Bende Hungarian Paprika

“This one doesn’t ‘wow’ me,” one taster noted, though its “hint of smokiness” was welcomed by those who didn’t think it bordered on “burnt ashes.”
Price at Time of Testing: $6.75 for 8 oz.
“This one doesn’t ‘wow’ me,” one taster noted, though its “hint of smokiness” was welcomed by those who didn’t think it bordered on “burnt ashes.”
Price at Time of Testing: $6.75 for 8 oz.

McCormick Paprika

Some tasters found this supermarket staple perfectly respectable, but most considered it “one-dimensional,” even “flavorless.”
Price at Time of Testing: $3.99 for 2.12 oz.
Some tasters found this supermarket staple perfectly respectable, but most considered it “one-dimensional,” even “flavorless.”
Price at Time of Testing: $3.99 for 2.12 oz.

Spice Islands Paprika

Though its scent reminded tasters of “toasted coffee grounds,” several people noted that this supermarket paprika’s “jammy,” “really sweet” flavors generally “lacked depth.”
Price at Time of Testing: $8.99 for 8.5 oz.
Though its scent reminded tasters of “toasted coffee grounds,” several people noted that this supermarket paprika’s “jammy,” “really sweet” flavors generally “lacked depth.”
Price at Time of Testing: $8.99 for 8.5 oz.

Not Recommended

Pride of Szeged Hungarian Paprika

Disappointingly, this iconic Hungarian tin was filled with a “chalky,” “bitter,” “dusty” grind that most tasters found off-putting.
Price at Time of Testing: $4.75 for 5 oz.
Disappointingly, this iconic Hungarian tin was filled with a “chalky,” “bitter,” “dusty” grind that most tasters found off-putting.
Price at Time of Testing: $4.75 for 5 oz.

*All products reviewed by America’s Test Kitchen are independently chosen, researched, and reviewed by our editors. We buy products for testing at retail locations and do not accept unsolicited samples for testing. We list suggested sources for recommended products as a convenience to our readers but do not endorse specific retailers. When you choose to purchase our editorial recommendations from the links we provide, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices are subject to change.

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