Add description, images, menus and links to your mega menu
A column with no settings can be used as a spacer
Link to your collections, sales and even external links
Add up to five columns
Add description, images, menus and links to your mega menu
A column with no settings can be used as a spacer
Link to your collections, sales and even external links
Add up to five columns
Sichuan Pepper Grinder ( Da Hong Pao Hua Jiao)
$18
Freshly Ground Sichuan Pepper Anytime
Sichuan pepper in a grinder was never available in the U.S. until we started packaging it this way several years ago, but it makes perfect sense for certain uses. Namely, for easily dusting mapo tofu or any other dish with a nice layer of aromatic, tingly Sichuan pepper without having to get out the spice grinder or mortar & pestle.
Like other pre-filled spice grinders, this one grinds small amounts of medium-coarse pepper flakes. It means you always have freshly ground Sichuan pepper on hand—which is key, because Sichuan pepper retains its aroma and numbing power for only a brief few weeks after being ground. (That’s why you should never buy pre-ground Sichuan pepper.)
This grinder is filled with Sichuan’s favorite “hua jiao,” a single-origin da hong pao from Gansu Province. It is a warm, woodsy red Sichuan pepper with a potent numbing sensation. Because this premium da hong pao is uniquely free of seeds, thorns and twigs, it is ideal for the spice grinder. There are no worries about grinding up gritty black seeds into your food.
The oversized glass jar has a plastic grinder top that can be fully removed, allowing easy access to whole peppercorns when you need them for dishes that use that form of the spice. It also allows you to remove the peppercorns to toast them if you wish, as Sichuan pepper is usually toasted before use. Simply toast, cool and return to the jar.
Though this is called a pepper grinder, it does not have the same functionality as a high-dollar pepper mill or electric grinder. This one is best for finishing a dish or for adding small amounts when cooking. You will still need an electric spice or coffee grinder to grind larger amounts for cooking or to grind to a fine powder.
We source only the most recent harvest of hua jiao to ensure maximum aroma and potency. Purchase our slightly larger bag to grind yourself in small batches for cooking.
Why It's Numbing
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.
How To Use It
Sichuan peppercorns are typically not eaten whole but used to flavor dishes in several ways.
Grinding: 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.
If you prefer the taste of toasted Sichuan pepper, remove some peppercorns from the jar and toast gently in a dry skillet. We suggest removing only a portion at a time, toasting them as you use them, and leaving some in the lower part of the jar to use whole. Toast until fragrant but not browned, cool fully, then return to the top of the jar.
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.
