Hungarian Paprika: Understanding the Grades and Varieties

Hungary is the birthplace of sweet paprika and maintains the world's most sophisticated paprika classification system with 8 official grades.

The 8 Hungarian Paprika Grades

Sweet Varieties (Édes)

1. Különleges - Special quality, bright red, mild and sweet
2. Édesnemes - Noble sweet, the classic Hungarian paprika
3. Félédes - Semi-sweet with slight heat
4. Rózsa - Rose paprika, pale color, very mild

Hot Varieties (Erős)

1. Erős - Hot paprika with significant heat
2. Csípős - Pungent variety with strong flavor
3. Csemege - Delicate but with some heat
4. Királyasszony - Queen's paprika, premium hot variety

Regional Differences

Hungarian paprika comes mainly from two regions:

• Kalocsa: Known for deep red color and intense flavor
• Szeged: Famous for bright color and delicate taste

Traditional Uses

Hungarian paprika is essential for:

• Goulash (gulyás)
• Paprikash (paprikás)
• Schnitzel and meat dishes
• Traditional stews

Quality Indicators

Look for:

• Hungarian certification marks
• Recent harvest year
• Proper storage in dark containers
• Vibrant red color (except for Rózsa)

Sources: Hungarian Paprika Museum, Kalocsa Paprika Research Institute