1881–1930

The New World Dawns

János dreams of bringing a taste of his homeland to the whole world.

During a time when everything is changing, János Kotányi seizes an opportunity: He wants to share the flavors of Austro-Hungarian cuisine through his ground paprika and his recipes. His paprika soon makes its way from Szeged to Vienna and even becomes a hot topic at the Imperial Court.

An illustration by János Kotányi

János Kotányi quote

"Your idea doesn't have to be big — it just has to change the world."

János Kotányi

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  1. Black-and-white photograph: Bags of Kotányi ground paprika in 1881

    Paprika peppers are ground into a powder, which is then poured into bags.

  2. Black-and-white photograph: A Kotányi paprika mill from 1881

    János makes his ground paprika in Szeged, Hungary in 1881, and later in Vienna. It will soon become a staple in countless kitchens.

  3. Black-and-white photograph: Workers packing Kotányi ground paprika in 1881

    János' ground paprika is bagged and packaged by hand.

  4. Black-and-white photograph: Paprika deliveries by horse-drawn carriage in 1881

    His ground paprika is distributed throughout the Austro-Hungarian monarchy in horse-drawn carriages.

  5. Black-and-white photograph: A portrait of János Kotányi in 1881

    János begins working as a spice merchant at the age of 14. A few years later, he opens his first store.

    Inspiration for Generations

    Alongside his spices, János publishes cookbooks in the hope that his recipes will inspire an even greater love of cooking. One example is his “Cookbook of Popular Hungarian National Dishes”.

    In 1890, a new edition of his popular cookbook was published for the Millennium Exhibition in Budapest.

    Two covers of János Kotányi's cookbooks and an excerpt of a recipe from them.

    János Kotányi's Best Recipes

    What your great-grandma saw when she visited the store

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    1. Kotányi paprika in a can from 1900.

      What will soon become the famous Special Sweet Paprika is, at first, simply known as rose paprika from Szeged.

    2. Kotányi ground paprika packaging from 1900.

      Some of the very first packaging for Kotányi paprika from around 1900. The Hungarian national colors are still part of the logo, 140 years later.

    3. Poster of the Paris Exposition in 1889 with a drawing of the Eiffel Tower.

      The Eiffel Tower serves as a colossal entry gate to the 1889 Paris Exposition. János walks through it and is overwhelmed. He decides he will use it as a symbol for his paprika.

    4. A drawing of the Kotányi paprika shaker from 1900.

      Meanwhile, János has made a name for himself, thanks to his paprika. This is sold in a shaker designed to resemble the Eiffel Tower.

    5. A Kotányi marjoram sachet from 1900.

      János also nicknamed the dancing paprika on the sachets the "Eiffel Tower".

      1931–1960

      Everything Changes

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      Stuffed bell peppers with minced meat seasoned with marjoram and tomato sauce.