Szechuan pepper originates from north-central China from the Szechuan region. It isn't a pepper, but it can be used as one. Especially the pink, dried seed husks are used for seasoning dishes. It is also called Sichuan pepper, Chinese pepper and Toothache tree. This tall shrub or small tree is a member of the Vine fruit family (Rutaceae) just like Vine fruit, Chinese Kumquat, Orange, Lemon and Bergamot. It is a hardy, slow-growing shrub or tree that flowers in early summer with small white to yellow-green flowers that eventually develop into round, red fruits that eventually contain the black seeds. From this shrub/tree, the dried fruits are used and mainly the outer pink skin. But the leaves and young shoots of the Szechuan pepper are also edible. The dried leaf can be used in the same way as Curry leaf and Bay leaf. It is a slow-growing shrub/tree that loses its leaves in winter. Is also very suitable as a shrub/tree in e.g. a food forest. Birds like to nest in the branches. The branches and leaves have very prickly thorns. Harvest carefully and use gloves to protect hands if necessary.
The flavour of Szechuan pepper is very distinctive. The leaf has a citrus-like flavour and fragrance and can be used as a substitute for bay leaf and curry leaf in dishes. The very young leaves can also be used raw in e.g. salads. Also add the leaf to wok dishes, soups, sauces, vegetable dishes, stews and oven dishes. Of the seeds, mainly the outer, pink skin is dried and then powdered. This has a distinct flavour that is not spicy, but causes a tingle on the tongue. Both the seeds and the dried bark of the bush/tree can be chewed to maintain healthy teeth. The unripe seeds can be chewed for toothache, this gives a mild narcotic effect. This shrub/tree is self-pollinating, but can also be planted well in groups of several shrubs/trees. Szechuan pepper is often used in combination with star anise, ginger, cloves and fennel. This is also known as five-spice powder. Both the pink skin and the black seeds are edible. Add them at the end of the cooking time for a strong, spicy flavour and fragrance. The berries are picked as soon as they begin to split, in the process revealing the small, round, black seeds. Dry the pink hulls for several days indoors in a well-ventilated room in the sun. After this, they will keep well-dried and vacuum-packed in e.g. glass or plastic containers with lids for about 1 year. Keep this plant away from other citrus plants (e.g. lemon, lime, orange, etc.), as it can spread a disease that can affect other citrus plants. Hardy perennial. Height: 250 - 400 cm.
Stratification: 1 - 3 months
Outdoor sowing under glass: September - October & February - April
Germination: 2 - 12 months
Germinationtemp.: 5 - 10 °C
Sowingdepth: 1 - 2 cm
Plantdistance: 150 - 250 cm
Plantposition: sunny - half shade
Flowering period: May - June
Harvesting period leave: May - end of October
Harvesting period kernels/seedhusk: September - October (from the 3rd year after sowing)
Before you start growing this shrub/tree, it is good to know that this is a very difficult species to grow where germination of the seeds can take a very long time (2 months to 1 year). Growing Szechuan pepper is quite a challenge for a novice grower.
Szechuan pepper is a cold germinator that requires a cold period for germination. This is called stratification. This can be achieved by placing the seeds enveloped in, for example, kitchen paper or the packaging in the fridge about 1 - 3 months before sowing. Ensure a temperature around 4 °C, after this period the seeds can be sown in separate pots (ø 9 cm) filled with well moistened sowing soil. Sow outdoors under glass from September - October or sow in early spring from February to April. Sow the seeds about 1 - 2 cm deep and cover the seeds well with a layer of sowing soil. Keep the seeds well moist during this period, but not too wet. The seeds of this plant germinate best at temperatures between 5 - 10 °C. Szechuan pepper seeds can take 2 months to a year to germinate. This depends, among other things, on the germination temperature, changes in temperature and weather conditions. Put the pots in a cold greenhouse or cold container during the germination period. However, it is important to keep the germination temperature as even as possible and especially not let the temperature drop too much at night. Keep the seedling well moist during this period, but not too wet. Szechuan pepper can be grown outdoors in the open ground or in large pots. This plant needs a site with well-drained soil. Before planting the shrubs, it is necessary to fertilise well. From the 2nd year after sowing, give the plants every week some special liquid citrus fertiliser such as: citrus focus.
It is very important never to let the plants dry out, but at the same time do not overwater the plants. After all, they shouldn't be left standing in water. Also pay attention during drought, when the plants need more water, especially if you grow the Szechuan pepper plants in pots. From June, the plants can be placed outside in a sunny spot with some shade in the afternoon if necessary. Keep the plants 1½ to 2½ metres apart. In the 1st year after sowing, this bush/tree should be well protected from severe (night) frost in winter. Cover the bush/tree with special fleece or a burlap sack.
The branches have very prickly thorns. Harvest carefully and use gloves to protect hands if necessary. It takes about 3 years after sowing for the first fruits to appear on this very slow-growing shrub/tree. Not only the fruits of this shrub/tree can be eaten, but also the leaves and young shoots are edible. The leaves can be used in the same way as bay leaf and curry leaf. The fruits are dried after harvesting, after which the pink husks and black seeds are separated. Both the peelings and seeds can be used in dishes. Dry the pink husks for several days indoors in a well-ventilated room in the sun. After this, they will keep well-dried and vacuum-packed in e.g. glass or plastic containers with lids for about 1 year. Keep this plant away from other citrus plants (e.g. lemon, lime, orange, etc.), as it can spread a disease that can affect other citrus plants.
