Green Sichuan Pepper

What is green Sichuan pepper?

The green Sichuan pepper comes, as its name indicates, from a province of China, Sichuan. Despite its name, it is not really a pepper, but a berry that belongs to the Rutaceae family. It belongs to the genus Zanthoxylum piperitum in the same way as the Sansho pepper. This difference is marked by the fact that it is not the seed that is exploited, but its shell. The visual difference is obvious. This shell, called pericarp, can be used whole by letting it infuse. You can of course crush or grind it according to the recipe you want to make. Sichuan pepper is one of the oldest spices in China. It has a major place in Sichuanese, Cantonese and Tibetan cuisine. It was imported to Europe by Marco Polo to become an essential spice in Venice before disappearing from European kitchens until the 19th century. It was then that botanists brought it back into the limelight and it is now favored by great chefs.

What is the flavor of Sichuan pepper?

Citrus fruits belong to the Rutaceae family. This may explain the lime notes of this unique pepper. There are also notes of green tea very floral. We appreciate the freshness of this green Sichuan pepper which comes to decorate your dishes. Since it is not really a pepper, it does not bring this side piquant that one could imagine, but rather slightly acid flavors. Green Sichuan pepper is not unlike combawa powder.

The harvest of Sichuan pepper in the plantations

Produced on a Zanthoxylum piperitum, the green Sichuan pepper is a berry that is harvested before maturity. It is then dried so that the seed is released and only the pericarp remains, the part of the berry that enveloped the seed.

How to use Sichuan pepper in cooking

In the kitchen, green Sichuan pepper is great. It brings so much freshness with its citrus notes. Of course, you can pair it with meats, especially since Sichuanese cuisine offers us great recipes for spicy pork or chicken. However, unlike the traditional green pepper, it is more with fish and other seafood that it will marry. Thus, it is possible to imagine a fish with chilli and Sichuan pepper to bring spice and freshness to your dish. Accompanied by sunny vegetables, your fish will be delicious. The Sichuan style fish stew will also be enhanced with green Sichuan pepper for its citrus notes. Mackerel, cod, coconut milk, zucchini, carrots and other shallots, a few spices, it is enough to make a dish of very beautiful quality. This pepper also finds its place in your desserts. Lime and coconut bavarois with a chocolate ganache and a little pepper, panna cotta on a bed of clementines with Sichuan green pepper, try original recipes to highlight this berry.

The health benefits of Sichuan pepper

Sichuan pepper is used by Chinese doctors to treat dental and skin problems. They use the shell. As this berry is not a pepper, it does not contain piperine, which has many virtues.

The conservation of Sichuan pepper

Delivered in a resealable airtight bag, my Sichuan pepper will be stored preferably away from light and moisture.

Origin of this Sichuanpepper in China

Other names of green Sichuan pepper Chinese pepper, mountain pepper, pepper from the state of Qin

Green Sichuan pepper: is it hot? No, it is not a pepper, but a berry.