Sichuan Peppercorn - Health Benefits, Uses and Important Facts - PotsandPans India (2024)

Sichuan peppercorns are a native Chinese spice with a distinctive citrusy, slightly woodsy pepper flavour, a high heat, and a little tongue-numbing sensation.

Origin:

Sichuan peppercorn and ginger were employed to add heat to Northern Chinese recipes prior to the introduction of fiery chiles from the New World. Sichuan peppercorn isn't actually a pepper at all, which surprises a lot of people. It's not related to chilli peppers (genus Capsicum), which are indigenous to the Americas, or black pepper (Piper nigrum), which is native to India.

Sichuan peppercorn is made from prickly ash shrubs, which are native to China and Taiwan. Relatives of pant are produced in the Himalayan region, Thailand, and Indonesia.

Storage:

Sichuan peppercorn should be kept away from light in a sealed jar after purchase. The flavour of the entire peppercorns will be preserved. Since ground pepper loses its more nuanced flavour and scent over time, it should be used as soon as possible.

Health Benefits:

Helps stimulate circulation:

If you feel weak, lethargic, and dizzy, it may be anaemia brought on by a deficiency in iron. Due to its high iron concentration, eating Sichuan pepper in its natural form may help boost your body's haemoglobin levels and promote circulation.

Helps improve immunity:

This pepper has a high concentration of zinc, a strong mineral that is necessary for boosting the body's immunity. There are a few symptoms of zinc shortage, but they are not always obvious, which is why it's important to maintain a healthy zinc intake. Szechuan peppercorns could work as a cure.

Helps increase appetite:

It could be challenging to regain your appetite while you are healing from an illness. But eating good meals will help your body recuperate more quickly. This pepper has a number of substances that increase metabolism and stimulate the appetite. In this manner, you can absorb the nutrients from the diet and recover more quickly.

Helps reduce pain:

One area where this spice in the kitchen plays a significant role is in pain management. Sichuan pepper has analgesic properties and contains compounds that can bind to pain receptors. Thus, it aids in removing discomfort and pain perceptions. Although it may not be a permanent solution, this functions as a treatment to lessen discomfort and can be applied topically to the affected area.

Aids with reducing inflammation:

In addition to having natural anti-inflammatory properties, spicy Szechuan pepper is known to include a variety of antioxidants, including phytosterols and terpenes. Oxidative stress, which is brought on by free radicals in the body, can lead to inflammation of the body. The Szechuan pepper component neutralises free radicals and stops inflammation at its source.

Increases bone density:

This pepper is rich in vital minerals like phosphorus, manganese, copper, and iron that are important for building strong bones and warding off age-related illnesses like osteoporosis. As a good source of minerals, this pepper is recommended as a complement to our daily consumption.

Helps to safeguard the stomach:

Additionally, it can boost metabolism, stimulate digestion, and lessen any type of stomach inflammation. Constipation, bloating, and stomach pains can all be avoided with its aid.

Helps lower blood pressure:

Szechuan pepper and blood pressure control may seem like an unusual pairing, but it works. Significant potassium levels are present in this pepper, which is advantageous for cardiovascular health. Additionally, it reduces the possible impact of cholesterol and aids in blood vessel relaxation, reducing excessive blood pressure. Consequently, heart attacks and strokes are avoided.

FAQ’s:

Why was Szechuan peppercorn illegal?

The United States Food and Drug Administration prohibited the importation of Sichuan peppercorns from 1968 to 2005 because it was discovered that they could spread citrus canker (as the tree is in the same family, Rutaceae, as the genus Citrus).

What flavour does Szechuan peppercorn have?

Sichuan peppercorn's scent has been compared to lavender. Up the tongue, bitterness comes on first, followed by numbing heat and citrus. The intense numbing feeling it generates around the mouth is its greatest claim to fame.

Are Szechuan peppercorns spicy?

The Sichuan peppercorns are not extremely hot. They offer a unique culinary experience. The name is derived from the Sichuan province, historically written "Szechuan" in English, in northern China.

Are Sichuan peppercorns addictive?

It is said to be both addicting and therapeutic by devotees. It physically numbs the lips, but it also adds a subtle woodsy flavour of pine and cedar as well as an addictive acid sweetness note akin to lemon soda