Szechuan peppers are indigenous to the Szechwan province of China. They are a dried berry of the rue tree that bears some resemblance to black peppercorns, but they do not belong to the pepper family. Several species of Zanthoxylum are found throughout the temperate belt of China, Japan, the Himalayas, and North America. All of them are aromatic and used for herbal remedies, but only the pipertium type of the East is great for cooking.
The wood of the prickly ash is used to make mortars and pestles that impart a hint of flavor to substances being ground in Japan. The Japanese also use wood for smoking pipes.
Since Szechuan pepper is still fairly uncommon in the West, it might be helpful to recognize a few of the other common names and spellings associated with it: Sichuan pepper, Szechwan pepper, and fagara, just to name a few.
Peppercorns from Szechuan have rust-colored stems and open ends, along with thin hairs on the stems. Approximately 4 – 5 mm in diameter, the dried berries look like tiny beechnuts. The rough skin splits open to reveal a brittle black seed about 3 mm in diameter, though most of the spice is the empty husk. Both whole and ground, it can be eaten.
Japanese people use the leaves as spices – the ground dried leaves are called sansho, and the whole leaves are kinome, which are fresh, vacuum-packed, or pickled.
Szechuan Pepper Benefits
The spicy “outer peel” of Sichuan peppercorns consists of berries from the “prickly ash” family. Chinese five-spice powder contains these sharp, pungent but delicious, rusty-red coverings that are usually called huajiao. It has a wide range of health benefits, including the following.
1. Orange-Aromatic-Natural
There are so many benefits to human health that sinchuan peppers provide. In general, people understand that sinchuan has a natural citrus-aromatic taste with terpenes, such as beta-mycrene, geraniol, limonene, cineol, and citronellal. Citrus-flavored sources, such as lemongrass or any other natural source that includes citrus-flavors, are known as the natural, aromatic sources that help you feel refreshed
2. Support Digestive System
The Sichuan pepper is a spice with lively properties that aid in boosting the gastro-intestinal system. Moreover, the digestive system will probably be helpedsecreting waste. If you are having digestive problems, you might want to try this.
3. Contains Minerals
The mineral content of Sichuan peppers is complete enough. Aside from selenium, you’ll also have potassium, copper, manganese, phosphorus, and zinc. Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin, which transports oxygen to the red blood cells.
4. Get Rid of Toothache
Sichuan plants in North America have been used to ease dental problems. Firstly, you can grill 50 grams of dried Sichuan peppers, then mix them until they are powdered. Sprinkle the powder on the area that needs treatment after washing your mouth. Let it stand for a few minutes. You’ll be amazed.
5. Increase Appetite
If you want to consume something, do you feel uneasy? Do you lack the appetite? Then you should include Sichuan peppers. Sichuan peppers contain a compound that allows you to have a good appetite for food. Moreover, you will consume more food!