PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide paprika pigment which can be obtained by manufacturing a paprika pigment preparation in which color fading by light is prevented, which has a strong reddish hue, and high emulsion stability.SOLUTION: The paprika pigment in which an absorption area S of a region surrounded by a curve in a range of wavelength 640-685 nm in an absorbance curve of an ultraviolet and visible absorption spectrum, and a straight line linking two points of wavelength 640 nm and 685 nm on the absorbance curve satisfies the following formula (1). Formula (1): S×1500/chromatic valence of the paprika pigment (E)≤0.2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1【課題】光による退色が抑制され、赤味の強い色調を有し、且つ乳化安定性の高いパプリカ色素製剤を製造し得るパプリカ色素を提供する。【解決手段】紫外可視吸収スペクトルの吸光度曲線における波長６４０～６８５ｎｍの範囲の曲線と該吸光度曲線における波長６４０ｎｍ及び６８５ｎｍの２点を結ぶ直線とによって囲まれる部分の吸光面積Ｓが下記式（１）を満たすことを特徴とするパプリカ色素。式（１）：Ｓ×１５００／パプリカ色素の色価（Ｅ10%1cm）≦０．２【選択図】 図１
