On the other hand, paprika is much milder and the SHU ranges from 100-1,500 SHU, again depending on the variety of the plant it comes from. As far as the heat factor is concerned, the Indian red chili powder is much hotter than paprika.

What Is Chili Powder (Er, Chile Powder..?)

Where Does Paprika Come From?

So, how can you substitute chili powder for paprika? Well, I can't really give you a standard substitution ratio. It's best to add it gradually, give your recipe a taste, and then adjust accordingly.

Smoked paprika, often called pimenton, or smoked Spanish paprika is made from peppers that are smoked, dried over oak fires and then crushed into a fine, bright red powder. Bringing a deeper, richer, cooler flavour to the table. When it comes to heat, smoked paprika can be mild (pimentón dulce), medium (pimentón agridulce), or hot (pimentón picante).
Did you know? The vibrant red colour of paprika is because it contains high levels of carotene, the same pigment found most notably in, believe it or not, carrots.

Not recommended: Ketchup alone

In recent years, the demand for paprika in China has been steadily increasing, as consumers become more adventurous with their cooking and seek out new flavors. This has led to a rise in the production of paprika in China, as farmers and producers work to meet the growing demand.

Substitutes for Sweet Paprika: 

When Christopher Columbus landed in the Bahamas in 1492, he was the first European to have an encounter with any sort of chile pepper plant. He brought the ancestor of all paprika back with him to Europe and specifically to his patrons, the Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella. The king and queen did not care for their fiery heat and sent them to a monastery to be studied. These monks sent them further along across Spain and Portugal. From there, chile peppers made their way across Europe. Some peppers stayed spicy, like those in Calabria, but other European cultures experimented with their breeding and created the sweet and flavorful varieties of peppers that give us paprika today. 

In addition to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, curcumin has also been shown to have anti-cancer effects. Studies have found that curcumin can inhibit the growth of cancer cells and even induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in certain types of cancer. While more research is needed in this area, the potential of curcumin as a natural cancer treatment is promising.

Paprika is divided into three categories—sweet, hot, and smoked—and each one is made from different types of peppers.

Chili peppers are used in a wide variety of cuisines around the world, including Mexican, Thai, Indian, and many others. They can be used fresh, dried, or ground into powders to add heat and flavor to dishes such as salsas, curries, hot sauces, and marinades.