6 Things You Need To Know About Szechuan Peppers (+ 21 Great Recipes)

Szechuan cooking is spicy, yes. But don't lay that on the Szechuan peppercorns. They're not spicy hot. What they are is a culinary experience like no other.

Image zoom Photo by Didier Descouens, via Wikimedia Commons

Six things to know about Szechuan pepper before you give it a go.

1.) Szechuan pepper is not spicy hot like a chile pepper.

It's not a chile pepper at all, in fact.

2.) It's not peppercorny in any kind of black or white peppercorn way.

It's not actually from a pepper plant.

3.) The "peppercorns" are the dried berries of the Chinese prickly ash bush.

Yes, Szechuan pepper is its own funky little monkey, thank you very much.

4.) You experience Szechuan pepper as a peculiar tingling sensation.

Food-science guy, Harold McGee, author of On Food and Cooking, equates the sensation to a mild electrical shock: "touching the terminals of a nine-volt battery to the tongue." So, you know, don't eat Szechuan while taking a bath.

5.) When eating Szechuan pepper, you may feel a bit...well, odd.

Harold McGee says the pepper seems to mess with different types of nerve endings simultaneously, inducing "sensitivity to touch and cold in nerves that are ordinarily nonsensitive," and leaving you with an overall experience that could "cause a kind of general neurological confusion." That sounds troubling. But the feeling is actually kind of invigorating. It's a strange, kind of exciting combo. Pop rocks in the mouth! Tingling tongues are primed for the spicy heat of the actual chile peppers.

6.) Szechuan pepper is a key component of Chinese Five Spice.

This spice blend is a good entrée into the world of Szechuan pepper, mingled as it is among friends. What are the other four spices? Fennel seed, star anise, cinnamon, and cloves.

OK, now let's dig into some recipes. Some call for full-on Szechuan peppercorns. Others call for Chinese Five Spice, which, because it's a blend of spices, may not reveal the full funkiness of the Szechuan pepper. But it's a tasty, tingly introduction.

"I love this recipe," raves Inorto. "You must use the five-spice powder or star anise to get the true flavor."



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"Best tasting Kung Pao I have had," skcolmery. "Used 16 Chinese red chiles and was just right. Hot but not overwhelming. If you add the Szechuan peppercorns it will not seem so hot."



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"Cao lau is made with noodles, pork, and greens," says Michael Kuhn. "Traditionally found only in the town of Hoi An, Vietnam, this recipe approximates authentic cao lau with easier-to-find ingredients."



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"Sometimes simple is best," says lutzflcat. Enjoy them as an accompaniment to cheese and crackers.



Image zoom Photo by lutzflcat

"This is almost exactly like the version I've found at Chinese restaurants," says Cowtessa. "As for Szechuan pepper, I've had a hard time finding it. I finally bought some from Amazon and it makes a noticeable difference."

"These were really tasty," says Linda T. "I didn't have a grill to finish these in, so I stir-fried them in the marinade on the stove top. Delicious."



Image zoom Photo by CCLoves2Bake

"Delicious," says Kathy. "I used to drive from Kingston to Montreal's Chinatown to buy this. I am thrilled to know that I can make it myself now."

"Wow! The five spice powder sauce made this fabulous," says Marvels51.



Image zoom Photo by OkinawanPrincess

"This is a terrific marinade for chicken," says Saveur. "Hubby grilled the chicken to crispy perfection! If you haven't tried five spice before, it's reminiscent of jerk seasoning, some licorice in the background."



Image zoom Photo by Deb C

"This is a fantastic marinade," says Jess. "I also like to use it in stir-fries and just as a sauce for chicken breast. Amazing flavor!"



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"This is a keeper for us," says misty. "Doubled the five spice, as we love it. Wonderful easy, delicious soup! Will be making often."

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"Great recipe," says Ghenghis. "I also use toasted mustard seeds with the Szechuan peppercorns."

"This is the only and best tsao mi fun dish I've found on the web," says cluv. "I made it for dinner tonight and it was soooo good. And I am Taiwanese. I LOVE five spice powder!"



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"These ribs were EXCELLENT," raves BEANS55. "Exactly, if not better than takeout."

"Superb, one of my favorite ways to prepare duck," says George. "Also works great on turkey thighs."

"Chinese 5-spice powder has a proven track record of awesomeness when combined with smoky, caramelized meats," says Chef John. "This grilled five-spice chicken recipe is a great example."

"These were AWESOME," says KychynWych. "I used a little extra 5-Spice Powder, and these were so amazingly fantastic that my husband immediately asked when we would be having them again."

"This had a delicious flavor, everyone loved it," says CHERIMMHMM. "Had never tried the Chinese five-spice powder but it gave it a very unique, yummy taste."



Image zoom Photo by bellepepper

"I loved this," says DR in TX. "Had all of the ingredients, EVEN the Chinese Five Spice. So delicious I will definitely make this again."

"These five-spice roast carrots are amazingly aromatic and delicious," says Chef John. "The ingredients are so simple. Exotic, but familiar and not too exotic."

"The Chinese five spice is not something I was very familiar with, but it was tasty," says junglepilotwife. "I used chicken breasts and we grilled them. The recipe is a nice change of pace with Asian flavors."