Spice of the Month – July

History of Paprika:

Paprika originated in Southern Mexico, Central America, and the Antilles Islands. It was used for both seasoning of food as well as medicine for healing. According to internet folklore, Christopher Columbus discovered it and introduced it to Europe. Sometime after Columbus brought it over from the New World, paprika made its way to Hungary. Which has been a staple in Hungarian food ever since, and it was the Hungarians that gave it the name, Paprika. Hungarian paprika is available in eight different varieties ranging in color and pungency.

Paprika does not come from one specific plant. It is made from a variety of ground and dried Chile peppers. The flavor can range from sweet and mild to smoky and hot. Paprika peppers have an amazing amount of vitamin C, actually, they have seven times as much vitamin C as oranges.

Paprika has been used for medicinal purposes as well. Native Americans from Southern Mexico first used paprika as medicine because they believed it had many healing powers.

Fun fact about paprika, Zoo’s sometimes include paprika in the food of flamingos in order to help them keep their pink color!

Pick up the spice, along with a recipe at one of the Coffey County Library branches.

To receive the materials, please register online at https://bit.ly/CoffeyCountySpiceoftheMonth, by scanning the QR code below, or drop by any of the Coffey County Library branches.

Sponsored by