While the smoked variant is the responsible ingredient for the smoky flavor in many recipes, sweet paprika gives your dishes a fruity, sweet and slightly bitter flavor with very little to no heat at all. If you happen to spot the usual bottle that just says paprika, that’s most likely the regular or sweet variant.
This substitute for hot paprika also has an earthy flavor that can enhance the overall taste and aroma of what you're preparing.

When you look at the plethora of red chili powders available, you may well be confused as to how similar or how different they really are. As for paprika and red chili powder, both are red, though of different shades, and look quite similar.

Paprika’s colour and flavour reduce the longer it’s cooked. So add it at the end of your cooking to make sure you make the most of its wonderful shade and taste. Compared to other spices, you can use paprika quite liberally without overpowering other ingredients, so don’t be afraid to be generous. Paprika burns quite easily due to its high sugar content, so it’s best cooked with a little oil over a low heat and don’t forget to keep stirring.
However, all cayennes have one thing in common: They’re spicy.