Paprika is more than just a spice on the Bulgarian table—it is a symbol of culinary tradition and industrial growth. At Spizing, we value authenticity, which is why we are sharing the story of this “red gold” that was once a primary export for our country.
The Beginning: Dried Strings and Mortars
Hot peppers firmly established themselves in the Bulgarian diet by the end of the 18th century. At that time, it was believed they were only edible after drying and should not be eaten fresh. Households dried them on long strings and used them whole or crushed in a mortar.
With the appearance of larger, milder varieties, classics like peppers stuffed with beans or meat were born. After the mid-19th century, Bulgarians began consuming fresh peppers and producing finely crushed pepper to add color to dishes. The laborious task of “crushing pepper” became a daily routine for every housewife.
Alexander Dimitrov and the First Factory
The industrial revolution of paprika in Bulgaria began in the village of Kurtovo Konare. Entrepreneur Alexander Dimitrov, with the support of Evlogi Georgiev and the Panitsa brothers, opened the first steam mill.
After the mill was burned down by ill-wishers, Dimitrov traveled to Hungary to study the secrets of paprika production. He brought back special varieties of sweet peppers cultivated specifically for paprika production and opened the first modern paprika factory in Bulgaria, which operated successfully until 1947.
The Golden Era and the Export Paradox
The success in Kurtovo Konare led to a boom in factories across the country. Bulgarian paprika became a key export, and after 1944, production was concentrated into large specialized agricultural estates and enterprises. Iconic varieties were developed, such as:
- Gorogled
- Buketen 50
- Novoselski
Exports to the Eastern Bloc and the Middle East were so massive that a curious situation arose: paprika became scarce on the domestic market because almost the entire supply was sent abroad.
Bulgarian Paprika Today
Following the dismantling of large estates and privatization, domestic production began to decline. Today, specialized varieties for grinding are rarely grown. The Bulgarian market is now primarily supplied through:
- Imports from China, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
- Processing of foreign dried peppers.
- Repackaging of ready-made imported paprika.
At Spizing, we support the few remaining enthusiasts who struggle to preserve the production of authentic Bulgarian paprika. We believe that quality and tradition should know no limits.