The spice we know as Sichuan peppercorn is not actually part of the pepper family, although it is used in the food of Chinaโs Sichuan province (as well as in a few other cuisines).
The spice is very fragrant but the effect on the tongue is less a flavour than a tingling sensation that numbs.
The Sichuan peppercorn is the fruit of a type of prickly ash that belongs to the citrus family โ and because it can carry citrus canker bacteria that has the potential to decimate the citrus industry in the United States, it cannot be imported into that country unless it has been irradiated.
When buying Sichuan peppercorns, look for a bright, reddish colour; if they are dull and brown, they will not be very aromatic.
To enhance their fragrance, Sichuan peppercorns are usually toasted by being stirred in an unoiled pan. They can also be lightly fried, with the spice imparting its numbing sensation to the oil used.