Of course, you could always leave the hot sauce to the experts. At Hongrispice, each bottle purchased directly supports the community gardens and urban farms who grow peppers to make these hot sauces. So you not only get a great flavor, but also the satisfying feeling of supporting small farmers right in your very city. So why don’t you pick up a variety pack and compare what our very own Culinary of Institute of America Chef King Phojanakong has whipped up with what you can create in the kitchen?

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. 

HEAT LEVEL

You may think of the famous Sriracha as a hot sauce (and it’s definitely used as one), but technically it’s a chili sauce by name on its own label (“Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce”.) It’s not like Tabasco or other dasher-ready hot sauces. It’s thicker, with hints of sugar and garlic. This is a sauce that can fit many chili sauce use cases in recipes.

So, when you’re craving more of that smoky, earthy flavor, should you reach for paprika or cayenne? Whether you're looking to buy bulk seasoning or just a couple jars, a better question might be: Do you even need both of these spices in your pantry? In this quick comparison of paprika vs cayenne, we’ll look at where they came from, when to use them, and why they both belong in your spice rack.

4. Time to store your homemade paprika! Grab a cool, dry spot in your kitchen and find a cute little airtight container or spice jar. Keep it away from the sun to make sure the flavor stays at its peak!