You’ve seen it dusted on deviled eggs, stirred into goulash, or sprinkled over roasted potatoes. But recently, social media lit up with alarming claims:
“Paprika is made from bugs!”
“It’s not what you think!”
So—what’s the truth?
Spoiler: Paprika is 100% plant-based. No insects. No mystery. Just pure, ground peppers.
Let’s clear the smoke (unless it’s smoked paprika—more on that soon!).
🌶️ What Paprika Really Is
Paprika is a ground spice made exclusively from dried Capsicum annuum peppers—the same family as bell peppers, chili peppers, and cayenne.
No additives
No fillers
No bugs
The flavor, color, and heat depend entirely on:
The pepper variety used
The region it’s grown in
Whether it’s smoked during drying
🌍 3 Main Types of Paprika (They’re Not Interchangeable!):
