Like pesto, Champagne, or Cheddar, this particular kind of paprika comes from only one place in the world—La Vera in Extremadura, Spain. Paprika comes from many places but pimentón de La Vera is outstanding with an earthy, deeply smoky flavor. Sometimes sweet (dulce) or hot (picante)  but always, always smoky. This is achieved by slowly smoking peppers for up to 15 days over an indirect oak fire before spending another 3 days in a slightly warmer oven, before being ground down to the rich red powder you're familiar with.