Can you grow Sichuan pepper in the US?
Today, it’s possible to grow Sichuan pepper (also called Szechuan pepper) in the USA, in your very own garden. All that’s needed is to be careful as to where you get your sapling from. We recommend checking with your local agriculture department before purchasing anything.
Can I grow Szechuan peppercorns?
Szechuan pepper plants, generally planted in spring or fall, thrive in flower beds or large containers. Plant Szechuan peppers in nearly any type of well-drained soil. A handful of all-purpose fertilizer added to the soil at planting time will provided extra nutrition that gets the plant off to a good start.
Why was Szechuan peppercorn illegal?
The Sichuan peppercorn is a case in point. Since 1968 it has been illegal to import this spice, the dried berry of the prickly ash tree, because it might pose a threat to the American citrus industry. The trees can harbor a canker, harmless to humans but contagious among plants and for which there is no known cure.
Where do Szechuan peppercorns come from?
The prickly ash shrub species that are used to produce Sichuan peppercorn are native to China and Taiwan, and relatives of the pant are grown in the Himalayan region, Thailand, and Indonesia. The name comes from the Sichuan province of northern China, which formerly was spelled “Szechuan” in English.
Can you eat Sichuan peppercorns raw?
Sichuan peppercorns should be heated before eaten or ground. Use whole peppercorns as called for in recipes, usually to flavor the cooking oil. In some recipes it’s chopped up roughly with other ingredients as an ingredient or garnish.
Is Sichuan pepper toxic?
The seeds themselves are tasteless; it’s the fragrant pink husks of the peppercorn that are valuable. Like some other habit-forming items, Sichuan peppercorns are actually toxic when ingested in large quantities.
Can you grow peppercorns?
If grown in zones lower than 10, Peppercorn can be grown in a container and carefully overwintered indoors or when temperatures drop below 60 degrees F. Peppercorn will do better with partial shade or filtered sunlight. For best results, plant in a location that is humid and moist. Keep well-watered.
What is the difference between Szechuan and Sichuan peppercorns?
Sichuan pepper (Chinese: 花椒; pinyin: huājiāo), also known as Szechuan pepper, Szechwan pepper, Chinese prickly ash, Chinese pepper, Timut pepper and mala pepper, is a spice commonly used in the Sichuan cuisine of China’s southwestern Sichuan Province.