Szentesi Paprika

Rich and sweet with an intense paprika scent and thin peel; juicy flesh with occasional very subtle spice when mature to deep orange.

Szentesi Paprika refers to a group of sweet and mild peppers cultivated in the Szentes area of Csongrád County, Hungary, within the Szeged-Szentes corridor. These varieties trace their introduction to Bulgarian gardeners who settled in the region in the 1880s, leveraging the area's humus-rich soils, abundant sunshine, and warm springs to produce high-quality peppers. The peppers exhibit diverse shapes including conical Kapia types, pointed spicy forms, bell-like capsicum, and tomato-shaped varieties. Ripe fruits typically measure 6-10 inches long with thick walls of 3-7 mm, thin smooth skins, and juicy flesh. Colors progress from ivory or white through orange-yellow to vibrant red upon full ripeness, though some remain yellow or white. The flavor is rich and sweet with an intense paprika aroma, occasionally offering a very subtle spice when fully mature; heat is minimal, rarely exceeding 200 Scoville units. Tall, productive plants benefit from staking. Szentesi Paprika holds PGI status granted in 2014, protecting its unique quality tied to the local terroir. It is excellent fresh in salads, roasted, stuffed, or sun-dried and ground into vibrant paprika spice used in Hungarian goulash, stews, and seasonings.

Szentesi Paprika originated in the late 19th century when Bulgarian gardeners introduced paprika cultivation to the Szentes region of Hungary. The area's unique climate, soil, and long sunny hours fostered the development of these distinctive varieties, which became central to Hungarian agriculture and received European PGI protection in 2014.