Szechuan Peppercorns are a native Chinese spice with a unique citrusy and slightly wood-infused pepper flavor and a strong heat that has a mild numbing effect on the tongue.

All about Peppercorns, Szechuan — Peppercorns

What it’s like, and how to make it

HeatMild
CuisineChinese & east & asian
Best forSaute pan fry, finishing, marinades rubs
Goes inStir fry, grills roasts, dips sauces, noodles
WithChicken, beef, pork, fish seafood, vegetarian, duck fowl
What’s in itSzechuan peppercorns

How to use it

The numbing pepper. Citrusy and floral with a tingling buzz that numbs the tongue — completely different from black pepper's heat. Essential for Sichuan mapo tofu, dan dan noodles, and málà hot pot. Toast in a dry pan for 60 seconds until fragrant, then grind. The numbing builds over a few seconds — it's supposed to feel tingly. Start with a teaspoon per dish and work up.

  • Peppercorns, Szechuan spice, shown over a chalk-and-watercolour illustration
  • Illustration: Peppercorns, Szechuan with the hills of western Sichuan at harvest
  • Illustration: Dan Dan Noodles, made with Peppercorns, Szechuan
  • Illustration of Peppercorns, Szechuan in The Tea & Spice Shoppe bag and jar, with the hills of western Sichuan at harvest
  • Peppercorns, Szechuan - The Tea & Spice Shoppe

What it goes with

This peppercorn shares more chemistry with Darjeeling than any other spice in the shop — they're loaded with the same floral compound (linalool). Brew our Darjeeling alongside Sichuan food and taste the connection. For traditional Chinese pairing, our Jasmine green is the classic.

Also in these blends

On its own, this is the straight thing. It also goes into these blends, each made for a different evening. Read about Szechuan Peppercorns →

Reviews

What the time-travelers say

206 of the shop’s 213 reviews are five stars — left by people who actually bought the tea

Write a review

No reviews of this one yet.

If you have had it, you would be the first to say so — and the shop reads every one.

Write a review
Jamaican Curry Powder

Great products and great service

I had a slight mix up on my order, they were quick to reply and correct my order with no issues. Amazing service and great…

I had a slight mix up on my order, they were quick to reply and correct my order with no issues. Amazing service and great products.

— Nick C. Verified

Peach White, Organic

Great tea

A lovely, delicate tea. The peach is strong without being overwhelming or cloying, and the calendula is a nice addition. Very…

A lovely, delicate tea. The peach is strong without being overwhelming or cloying, and the calendula is a nice addition. Very tasty!

— Zoe R. Verified

Maple Peach

Maple Peach

The maple peach is delicious. What a beautiful combination. I will most definitely order it again, and a higher quantity of it.

— Gerda S. Verified

Dill Weed

Always handy

I use dillweed often. This dill is fresh and has a nice aroma. I use it in marinades, salad dressings, and on fish. Good stuff.

— Jennifer D. Verified

Detox Tea, Organic

Great stuff

This has helped my household a lot with circulation and alertness when we had it everyday. Will be ordering again soon. Thanks

— Dave G. Verified

Blueberry Bang Rooibos

Love this tea. Hands down my fav rooibos. This store is our one-stop-shop for tea and spice. Great service, top notch product.…

Love this tea. Hands down my fav rooibos. This store is our one-stop-shop for tea and spice. Great service, top notch product. 10/10!!

— Erin Poeta P. Verified

English Breakfast Decaf

Delicious

I love this black tea, it has a really nice smooth flavour and love how it’s Swiss water method decaf. Will be buying again!

— Jessica A. Verified

Toffee Olé

Great flavorful tea

Toffee Ole is one of our favorite teas to share with friends in the evening, when we want something non-caffeinated but quite…

Toffee Ole is one of our favorite teas to share with friends in the evening, when we want something non-caffeinated but quite flavorful.

— Joel R. Verified

Assam Estate CTC BOP

Another full bodied ‘real tea’ . ie It is not a flavoured tea. However, we do very much enjoy the Cafe Latte tea which is a…

Another full bodied ‘real tea’ . ie It is not a flavoured tea. However, we do very much enjoy the Cafe Latte tea which is a flavoured tea!!!

— Ted H. Verified

Ayurvedic Throat Coat

teas

love , love, love and they shipping is very fast. the headache tea works great, the throat coat tea works great as well

— Miranda A. Verified

Ayurvedic Breathe Deep

4 stars

It worked beautifully; perhaps if I add a little more honey, it would make it better… It is a wellness tea, after all!

— Merrilee B. Verified

Bancha, Organic

Bancha with a splash of lemon

A wonderful Green Tea. Smooth in taste. Also suitable as a summer tea with a splash of lemon. A second infusion makes an…

A wonderful Green Tea. Smooth in taste. Also suitable as a summer tea with a splash of lemon. A second infusion makes an enjoyable second cup!

— Monika F. Verified

View product

Explore

Other ways in

Home The front door — what the shop has, how it reaches you, and where a cup can take you, in one scroll. Start here Collections Every shelf in the shop on one page — teas by leaf and flavour, spices by kind and cuisine. Open any shelf to see what is on it. Browse the shelves The Showroom The whole shop on one floor — every tea, spice and blend, filtered by what you are after, with the basket beside you. Open the Showroom Elsewhere Short trips — a place, a moment, a feeling — each with the teas and spices that get you there. Take a trip Ingredients Every plant, seed, bark and salt in the shop on one page — what it is, why it is in the blend, and where it comes from. See them all Local Delivery & Shipping How it reaches you — free Calgary delivery over $60, one flat rate for every province, and what happens if it is wrong. See the rates