Q. on Spanish smoked paprika

I was looking to buy some and have been unable to find any at local grocery stores and supermarkets, including Whole Foods, Trader Joes and ethnic Latino markets. Does anyone have recommendations on the best place to buy on the web, as well as producers they like? I'm also interested in differences between the sweet, bittersweet and hot versions and best uses for each. Thanks in advance for your advice.

I've seen some in supermarkets in the spice section (which you already checked), an oriental market that has sections from around the world, and even a coffee purveyor that has several shelves of jams, cookies, and other assorted foodstuffs. How about Costco?

I've grown my own paprika, but I never smoked it. I wonder if that's possible to do after it's ground.

I get mine locally at a great little shop called The Spanish Table.

I'd be happy to pick some up for you and mail it out. I am not sure if their shipping is reasonable or not.

I've grown my own paprika, but I never smoked it. I wonder if that's possible to do after it's ground.

Sure. Just buy some rolling papers at your local head shop, get a match and . . .

Sorry, couldn't resist. Thanks for responding. No Costco near me as far as I know, but I'm sure more searching would eventually turn up something.

I get mine locally at a great little shop called The Spanish Table.

Thanks for the generous offer, Cynthia. I just checked out the link and it looks like I can buy from them online and they'll ship direct -- no pesky wine-shipping laws to get around! -- so this looks like a good option.

I can buy from them online and they'll ship direct

Yes, but the shipping cost may be out of line, I just don't know. If it is too high, please do let me know as the offer stands.

Penzey carries it too, so you can compare prices.

http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/ ... prika.html

An alternate name is "pimenton." It's possible you could find it with that name.

FWIW, I got mine at Safeway from the exotic McCormick brand.

FWIW, I got mine at Safeway from the exotic McCormick brand.

That's El McCormick to you, buddy.

All I've seen in my Safeway is generic paprika, but I guess I'll have to take a closer look.

I was looking to buy some and have been unable to find any at local grocery stores and supermarkets, including Whole Foods, Trader Joes and ethnic Latino markets. Does anyone have recommendations on the best place to buy on the web, as well as producers they like? I'm also interested in differences between the sweet, bittersweet and hot versions and best uses for each. Thanks in advance for your advice.

Bruce, I have been buying Spice Island smoked paprika at Sam's Club. Until recently Sam's has only carried Tones brand, which is (I think) is a sub brand of McCormick. Anyway this smoked paprika is very aromatic with a heavy oak smoke aroma/flavor, and it seems to also have a bacon component too. I use quite a lot of it in my chili when I make it. It comes in an 8.5 ounce jar and costs something like $5.