Where's the Hungarian Paprika?

Question

I shopped yesterday for Hungarian Paprika (in the familiar red can, in the fine print I see that it appears to be "Pride of Szeged" (from memory, so spelling may be off)). No stores in my neighborhood (PG county) stocked it -- Wegmans, SFW, Giant, Safeway, Yes Organic.

Has anyone else had this experience? Is there an obvious explanation? Are we at war with Hungary and nobody's told us?

And does it matter? should I just use the cheapest Paprika I can find as a substitute, or is the available but much more expensive "organic" really better?

Finally (if it is permanently gone from the DC area, and if it really does matter) is there an online source for the "normal" Hungarian paprika, or something better? (Not smoked Spanish paprika.)

Answer

Otto's:

http://www.hungariandeli.com/Paprika.htm

I haven't bought from this source yet, but I'm thinking of it. I've heard that the major brand of Hungarian paprika is being cut with Brazilian peppers. I don't know to what extent that was true, or if it is still true, but it's reason enough for me to try something else.

Answer

Rodman's

It is about profit and price to the chains. Hungarian is more expensive and the profit margin lower. There is a lot of quality standards lowering in DC over the past few years. Too many Washingtonians worry more about price than value.


There is a complicated story here regarding how Hungary becomes part of the EU, with a relaxation of protectionism, and EU regulation of food processing within Hungary that led to the Hungarian prices being undercut by cheap S. American stuff, then contamination with aflatoxin (meet your “organic” toxin) and a host of other factors. There is no “domestic” pepper as Spanish peppers and Hungarian are now both “EU” and Spanish and Brazilian peppers are more naturally red than Hungarian varieties. Furthermore, a lot of world paprika was being cut with S. American and sold as Hungarian to boost profits at the expense of Hungarian producers.

So dried Spanish peppers are not imports to Hungary officially, and the Spanish don’t have to tell that they are importing, rather than growing them. And, there is disempowerment of national authorities in monitoring paprika safety. 

Bottom line: they are using imported peppers, the processes are still the best, and what you buy as generic paprika is generally of lower quality than Hungarian which, comes in about 8 grades, all of higher quality.

Answer

Mediterranean Bakery in Alexandria stocks Szeged brand (they have a big selection). 352 S Pickett St, Alexandria, VA 22304. You can peruse the awesome selection imported ingredients and food stuffs while your there and get some awesome shwarma to go from the take out counter (they also make middle eastern pastry that's pretty tasty as the name suggests)

Answer

Found this at Harris Teeter on Rt. 50 in Loudoun Co. $4.59 for a 5 oz. can. They have both hot and sweet.

Answer

Thanks to all who replied to my inquiries. I didn't know about Penzey's spice store in Rockville, and it sounds like that would be generally useful. The loophole in EU regulations is interesting to me as an economist: Hungary would like to forbid Brazilian peppers, but EU requires free trade between Spain and Hungary, and Spain is open to Brazil, so transhipment from Brazil through Spain is legal and inevitable. And then it did cause an aflatoxin problem in 2004.

From time to time I have a doctor's appointment that is close to a Harris Teeter, so that's where I'll look next time I'm in the area.

Answer

Because of this discussion, I asked the manager at my local Giant who showed me they carry it, but it is separate, away from the spices section.

Answer

Whole Foods on P Street had some today - $3.99 a tin. I was scouring the shelves looking for mace (I can't find it anywhere!) and noticed it.

Answer

Giant should have both the sweet and hot Szeged brand paprika...most of their stores seem to carry them. If your local one doesn't have it, they can certainly get it for you.

Also, in answer to your other question...there is _no_ real substitute for Hungarian Paprika, which is utterly delicious stuff. 

Most other types (perhaps except for the smoked ones) offer nothing much more than color. They are usually little more than mild, colored dust. ;-)

Answer

Revisiting this discussion because Szedged is on back order at all the local stores in my area. The various assistant mangers didn't even know what I was say, and I had to get to the actual managers of various stores who had no explanation as to why. I may be forced to order it online now.

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Where's the Hungarian Paprika?

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