What is paprika? 5 benefits of Hungarian cuisine

Among the many ingredients in cuisine, many people have chosen to use chili powder to add spicy flavor to the dish, especially European and American dishes. Besides the traditional Vietnamese chili powder, many people have used other types of foreign origin.

And those types of chili powder have quite a few names that make people wonder, one of which is the term Paprika. So what is paprika? What are their ingredients and uses? Let’s explore the information below with Tnhelearning.edu.vn right away.

What is paprika?

Origin of paprika

Paprika is a Hungarian chili powder made from Capsicum peppers (bell peppers, sweet peppers) or most commonly tomato peppers. After harvesting, these peppers will be dried and crushed. When finished, the paprika will have an eye-catching deep red color and Paprika’s spiciness ranges from mild to medium sweet and hot.

Origin of Paprika

In terms of origin, although paprika is a symbolic spice for Hungarian cuisine , it was actually introduced by the Turks in the 16th-17th centuries during their colonization here. And the first people to use paprika to cook dishes were shepherds and cattle.

Gradually, this type of chili powder became popular in the dishes of Hungarian peasants. After that, the aristocrats suddenly discovered the unique spicy taste and eye-catching color of Paprika, so they cooked it in their daily meals. By the 19th century, paprika officially became the dominant spice in many dishes throughout Hungary.

Ingredients of Paprika

Paprika chili powder mainly has two types

– Non-spicy paprika: Made mainly from the rind and only half of the chili seeds added.

– Spicy Paprika: Also made from the pods but will use more chili seeds. At the same time, it also adds the stem, ovule and sepals.

According to Draxe, every 1 tablespoon of paprika will contain many ingredients such as: Calories (20), Carbohydrates (3.8g), Protein (1g), fat (0.9g), fiber (2.5g), UI vitamins A (3.56), vitamin B6 (0.3mg), vitamin E (2mg), Iron (1.6mg), vitamin C (4.8mg), vitamin K (5.4 micrograms), riboflavin (0.1mg), Niacin (1mg), Potassium (158mg),…

The benefits of eating paprika

According to Healthline, there have been many studies that prove the ingredients in paprika provide many health benefits. Specifically:

Good for eyes

According to a study of more than 1800 women, those with diets high in lutein and zeaxanthin were 32 percent less likely to develop cataracts than those with lower intakes.

Another study in 4,519 adults also suggested that a higher intake of Lutein and Zeaxanthin may reduce the risk of AMD (Age-Related Macular Degeneration).

Therefore, they are quite capable of helping better eye health. At the same time, it also reduces the incidence of cataracts and AMD.

Pain relief and anti-inflammatory

Paprika chili powder contains a compound called Capsaicin , which can bind to receptors on nerve cells to reduce inflammation and pain. From there, they can prevent inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, nerve damage or digestive problems.

And this was proven through a study in 376 adults with gastrointestinal diseases. When they were supplemented with Capsaicin, the stomach inflammation and damage were significantly prevented.

Improve heart health

In a 14-day study, rats on the Paprika and Capsanthin diets both had significantly higher levels of good cholesterol, compared with mice on the control diet.

In addition, according to another 12-week study in 100 healthy adults, those given a supplement containing 9 mg of Paprika Carotenoids per day had significantly lower levels of bad cholesterol and total cholesterol than those given a placebo. medicine.

Therefore, paprika contains Carotenoids that can reduce bad cholesterol levels and increase good cholesterol. From there, heart health will be gradually improved.

Prevent cancer

Some carotenoids in paprika, such as Beta Carotene, Lutein and Zeaxanthin, can all fight Oxidative stress – the cause of increased cancer risk for humans.

Specifically, according to a study with about 2000 women, those with the highest levels of Beta Carotene, Lutein, Zeaxanthin and total Carotenoids in the blood had a 25-35% lower risk of breast cancer.

Control blood sugar

Capsaicin in paprika has the ability to effectively control diabetes . Because Capsaicin will affect related genes and inhibit enzymes that break down sugar in the body.

In addition, according to a 4-week study of 42 pregnant women with diabetes, a supply of 5mg of capsaicin/day significantly reduced postprandial blood sugar, compared with those taking a placebo.

Or in another 4-week study in 36 adults, those whose diets contained Paprika containing Capsaicin had significantly reduced blood insulin levels after meals, compared with those who did not have chili peppers. Usually, lower insulin levels result in better blood sugar control.

How to use Paprika?

Paprika is used like any other common condiment, mainly to give beautiful colors to dishes and to give dishes an impressive sweet and spicy flavor (especially in stews, soups and soups).

In addition, Paprika is also used to marinate meat and fish before processing . In particular, putting paprika into a pan with oil will create an extremely delicious and strange mixture. Hungarians often use Kadarka wine to enhance the taste of dishes with Paprika.

Uses of paprika

Paprika is used as an ingredient in cuisine

Paprika is used in cooking like any other spice. In particular, they are often used to make beautiful colors as well as increase the characteristic sweet and spicy flavor of dishes. For example: Hungarian fish soup, stuffed cabbage, smoked sausage, boiled egg, shrimp soup,…

In addition, you can use Paprika to marinate ingredients : Meat, fish, … before processing. In particular, if you cook this type of chili powder on a pan, it will create a more delicious and flavorful mixture. Not only that, when enjoying food with Paprika, Hungarians also drink Kadarka wine to increase the maximum flavor.

Delicious dishes with Paprika

Hungarian fish soup (halászlé)

Hungarian fish soup (halászlé)

Halászlé – fish soup is very popular with Hungarian people, especially cooked at Christmas and at the end of the year with the desire for happiness and money . Each family will have their own secrets to cook this fish soup, creating a unique and rich character for the dish.

Cabbage stuffed with meat (töltött káposzta)

Cabbage stuffed with meat (töltött káposzta)

The dish töltött káposzta – stuffed cabbage is very famous in Hungarian cuisine. Cabbage will be boiled, then used to pack the filling including: Minced pork, seasoning and paprika . After that, the cabbage rolls will be steamed, until cooked, they will be covered with a layer of sour cream , extremely delicious.

Smoked sausage (Kolbasz)

Smoked sausage (Kolbasz)

Kolbász is an authentic dish originating from Hungary . Smoked sausage is made from smoked meat, pork, beef, lamb marinated with some spices such as paprika, nutmeg, garlic, salt, sugar pepper, marjoram, cognac or wine. The ingredients are marinated and stuffed into pork intestines, hung overnight , then lightly smoked .

When eating, you should cut the sausage into thin slices, dip it with chili sauce , or use it with bread .

Hopefully, through the above sharing, you will know what Paprika is as well as the ingredients and uses of this chili. You can add them to your family’s dishes to add more flavor and protect your health.

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