| Szechuan peppercorns (Zanthoxylum bungeanum), also called "hua jiao" in Chinese or "flower pepper", are the dried berries of the prickly ash tree, they are red to reddish-brown and split open. It smells warm, citrusy fragrant and has a tangy, pepper-like flavor. It is famous for its mild numbing effect on the tongue and its often paired with very hot chili peppers especially in Szechuan cuisines. Used in Chinese five-spice powder. Goes well with duck, pork and game meats. |
