Budapest Journal; Crisis of Goulash Capitalism: Wheres the Paprika?
BUDAPEST, Oct. 8— The Hungarians, a nation of hearty eaters who lace their food with lashings of paprika, are facing serious withdrawal pangs. Their beloved paprika has been banned from stores and markets after one-third of test samples were found poisoned with lead oxide. The drastic action was taken by health authorities last week after nearly 50 people were hospitalized with stomach aches, paralysis of limbs and other symptoms of lead poisoning. By spiking the paprika with lead oxide, a substance used to pigment red paints, unscrupulous suppliers were heightening the color of the spice, authorities said. If left in its natural state, paprika turns a rusty hue with age. The effect of the ban is taking a heavy psychological toll. “Hungarians are narrow-minded enough to think Hungarian cuisine is paprika,” said Kalman Kalla, the executive chef at the temple of Hungarian cooking, Gundel’s restaurant, as he sprinkled two tablespoons of the spice over a pan of stewed tomato and green pepp
