Spice
Sichuan pepper
花椒
Also called Sichuan peppercorn, hua jiao
What it is
The husk of a prickly ash, not a peppercorn. It numbs and citrus-tingles.
Origin
Sichuan and surrounding mountain regions.
Flavour
Citrus, wood, electric numbness.
How to use it
Toast lightly, grind, bloom in oil. Stale Sichuan pepper is dusty and sad — buy small amounts.
Storage
Airtight, away from light. Replace often.
Can you recognise Sichuan pepper?
Ingredient challengeQuestions about Sichuan pepper
From this ingredient's notes in the catalogue — not a chatbot.
What is Sichuan pepper?
The husk of a prickly ash, not a peppercorn. It numbs and citrus-tingles.
How do I use Sichuan pepper?
Toast lightly, grind, bloom in oil. Stale Sichuan pepper is dusty and sad — buy small amounts.
How do I store Sichuan pepper?
Airtight, away from light. Replace often.
What does it taste like?
Citrus, wood, electric numbness.
Nutrition
Per 100g · estimate · USDA FoodData Central averages and equivalent published tables. Values are typical, not lab tests of your shopping bag.
Heat: Mild
Recipes using it
Mapo tofu
麻婆豆腐
Sichuan tofu in a chilli-bean sauce with minced pork, Sichuan pepper, and enough oil to carry the mala.
35 minMedium🌶️🌶️🌶️
Dan dan mian
担担面
Sichuan noodles in a sesame-chilli sauce with a little pork — mala, not a peanut-butter soup.
27 minEasy🌶️🌶️🌶️
Ma Po Tofu
Ma Po Tofu from China. Times were inferred from the source steps.
55 minA bit of workNo chilli
Sichuan Style Stir-Fried Chinese Long Beans
Sichuan Style Stir-Fried Chinese Long Beans from China. Times are typical for this kind of dish.
35 minMedium🌶️
Sichuan Eggplant
This recipe calls for asian eggplants, or Japanese eggplants. They are long and thin compared to a European or globe eggplant, and much more tender and delicate. If you can't find them you can substitute globe eggplant,
47 minA bit of workNo chilli