Sichuan Tribute Pepper (Hanyuan Sichuan Pepper, Qingxi Gong Jiao)

Sichuan pepper belongs to the citrus family (Rutaceae), within the Zanthoxylum genus, which includes both red and green species, varieties and cultivars. Tribute pepper is, specifically, a variety of Zanthoxylum bungeanum.

Tribute pepper has protected Geographic Indication and can only be grown in Qingxi, Sichuan, as it has been for millennia. Sichuan pepper grown just outside the famous village of Qingxi is called Hanyuan Sichuan pepper.

The bright-red berries grow on small trees and are harvested by hand—a slow and careful process. After harvesting, they are sun-dried, causing the husks to split open and release their seeds. We then have the peppercorns cleaned and sorted once by machine and twice by hand—selecting for fully opened husks without the gritty seeds, twigs or thorns found in lower-quality Sichuan pepper. The careful processing also ensures that the tiny oil pockets on the outside of the berries are not damaged.

Our Sichuan pepper is never heat-treated—which the USDA required for many years—or irradiated.

To learn more about the history of Sichuan pepper in the U.S. and our visits to Qingxi to see where Tribute pepper grows, read this article we reported for Roads & Kingdoms and Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown.

Sichuan pepper’s signature tingling sensation comes from a compound called hydroxy-alpha sanshool. Unlike most flavors, which are detected by taste receptors, sanshool activates tactile receptors responsible for touch and vibration. This triggers a physical sensation known as paresthesia—essentially causing your lips and mouth to feel as if they are vibrating or going numb. Studies have measured this vibration at around 50 hertz, similar to the frequency of an electrical current.

Despite its name, Sichuan pepper is neither a chili nor a true peppercorn. It is the dried husk of a berry from a citrus-family plant. Sichuan pepper is sometimes still called “prickly ash” in the West, due to its thorns and similar appearance to ash trees.

As the berries dry, they split open and release their seeds, which are not eaten due to their hard, gritty texture. Lower-quality Sichuan pepper often contains these seeds, along with stems and thorns—diluting both flavor and texture. High-quality pepper, like this, consists almost entirely of clean, open husks.

Our spices are never irradiated, which diminishes volatile oils and flavor, and are not heat-treated. We were the first company to reintroduce fully potent Sichuan peppercorns to the U.S. after heat treatment requirements were lifted, restoring their true flavor and numbing quality.

Similar species are found in Japan (sansho) and Himalayas (timur pepper), as well as other parts of China, but they lack the intensity of aroma and numbing power of the most prized Chinese varieties.

Avoid purchasing pre-ground Sichuan pepper, which quickly loses both aroma and numbing effect.

Sichuan peppercorns are typically not eaten whole but used to flavor dishes in several ways:

• Whole peppercorns: Add several whole peppercorns as an aromatic in braises and stews. You can enclose them in a mesh spice bag or leave them loose and strain out after cooking. Or simply eat around them!
• Oil infusion: Infuse cooking oil with dried Sichuan peppercorns to incorporate its flavor and aroma into stir-fries. Heat the oil in a pan and add whole hua jiao. Let sizzle gently just until the fragrance blooms, taking care not to burn, then add the rest of the ingredients; alternatively, strain the whole Sichuan pepper from the oil before adding other ingredients for a peppercorn-free dish.
• Grinding: Toast lightly, then grind into a coarse or fine powder for finishing dishes. Top noodles, stir-fries, salads, soups and sauces with ground Sichuan pepper, as you would black pepper or other seasonings. Add ground huajiao to your usual spice mix for dry rubs and marinades before grilling and roasting.

Grinding tip: Toast gently until fragrant but not browned, then grind fresh in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Pre-ground Sichuan pepper quickly loses both flavor and numbing effect, so grind in small batches.

Note that if you’ve been using other Sichuan pepper, you’ll probably need to use significantly less of ours. Start with ½ teaspoon whole or ¼ teaspoon ground per dish.

Store in a cool, dry place away from light. For maximum freshness and potency, keep bag sealed tightly. For long-term storage, freezing will significantly increase shelf life.

Whole Sichuan pepper retains its flavor far longer than ground—grind only what you need.

Size: 57g (2 oz)

Ingredients: single-origin red Sichuan pepper

Non-irradiated, non heat-treated