🌿 spicesEasy to use
Szechuan Pepper
Sichuan Province, ChinaAvailable year-roundMouth-numbing, citrusy, floral
Did You Know?
Szechuan pepper's numbing effect (má) comes from hydroxy-alpha-sanshool, which activates touch receptors simultaneously — the result is the signature tingling feeling.
Overview
Sichuan Province · Available year-round · spices
Szechuan pepper (Sichuan pepper) is not a true pepper but dried berries of Zanthoxylum plants, famous for creating a unique numbing, tingling sensation (má) on the tongue, combined with citrusy, floral flavor.
Sichuan Province
Origin
Available year-round
Season
Easy
Difficulty
spices
Category
Flavor Profile
Mouth-numbingcitrusyfloraltingly — no direct heat
Storage Tips
Whole berries up to 1 year. Ground loses potency quickly — use within 3 months.
Photo Gallery
How to Cook with Szechuan Pepper
Recipes, pairings, substitutes, and professional tips
Cooking Tips
Toast, then grind. Essential in mapo tofu, kung pao chicken, Chinese five-spice. Use the 'má là' combination (numbing + spicy) with chili for authentic Sichuan dishes.
Best Pairings
chili oiltofuporkchickengarlicgingersoy sauce
Substitutes
Black pepper + lemon zest (flavor approximation, no numbing)
Nutrition & Health Benefits
The nutritional profile and health properties of Szechuan Pepper
Nutrition Highlights
fat
4
iron
62% DV
carbs
73.7
fiber
21.3
calcium
26% DV
protein
6.7
calories
276
Quick Facts
Categoryspices
OriginSichuan Province, China
SeasonAvailable year-round
DifficultyEasy
Health Benefits
Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, aids digestion. Traditional medicine uses for toothache.
Szechuan Pepper Photos
4 photos showcasing Szechuan Pepper in its many forms
🌿
Szechuan Pepper
spices
OriginSichuan Province
SeasonAvailable year-round
DifficultyEasy
Flavor Notes
Mouth-numbingcitrusyfloraltingly — no direct heat
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Pairs Well With
chili oiltofuporkchickengarlicgingersoy sauce
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