What is Sichuan pepper?

Sichuan pepper is a distinctive and versatile ingredient used widely in Chinese cookery, where it's known as hua jiao - literally 'flower pepper' - and has no western substitute. The brick-red pepper berries grown on bushes in the rutaceae (rue) or citrus family. This explains the lemon-scented leaves and citrus notes of the Sichuan peppercorn. The Sichuan pepper plant looks much like a rose bush with sharp thorns, and a rich red stem. Its berries consist of a black seed encased in a red outer shell. The berries are dried, and the black seed separated out and disposed of, leaving just the outer red husk.

How do I cook with Sichuan pepper?

Sichuan pepper should not be eaten raw. Dry fry the whole peppercorns in a pan for a few minutes before use until fragrant. Crush with a pestle and mortar and sprinkle over dishes such as mapo dofu and fish fragrant aubergine. Sichuan pepper can also be used in meat marinades or for bringing a cold-spice to roast vegetables.