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It remains a staple in Spain, where it is known as pimentón and is a crucial ingredient in paella, and in Hungary, where numerous medium-to-hot varieties of paprika are used in traditional recipes including goulash, paprikash, and stuffed cabbage.

The flavor and heat level of paprika can vary depending on the type of pepper used. Sweet paprika is made from sweet red peppers, such as bell peppers, and has a mild, sweet flavor with little to no heat. On the other hand, hot paprika is made from hotter varieties of red peppers, such as cayenne or chili peppers, and has a spicier, more intense flavor.

Once combined, I add half the same amount of the guajillo chili powder mixture as what the recipe calls for paprika.

What to do then? Which substitute would work best?

Paprika can be made from several different varietals of the chile pepper family Capsicum annuum, though the different peppers all tend to be of the relatively long, tapered kind with thinner flesh. Fat, thick-fleshed sweet peppers, like a standard Bell pepper that you’ll find in your average grocery store, often don’t dry well enough to make a ground product and are prone to mold. They are valued for their bright red color as much as--or even more than--their flavor. The American Spice Trade Association, or ASTA, came up with a scale to measure paprika's color. The ASTA score goes from 50-180; 85 is a standard-grade color value. As the numbers go up, the color of the paprika is more saturated and vibrant.

It's why when I use it to substitute hot paprika in my recipes, I combine it with chili flakes or powder. I usually add one-eight to one-fourth teaspoon of chili to a tablespoon of guajillo chili powder.

The reason bell peppers are often used to make paprika is due to their mild and sweet flavor, as well as their vibrant red color. When dried and ground, bell peppers produce a sweet paprika with a rich red hue, adding both flavor and color to a wide range of dishes.