Eetbare tuin-edible garden Zanthoxylum simulans - Sichuan pepper

• Article number: ZANSIM02

Zanthoxylum simulans or Sichuan pepper is a hardy ornamental shrub that comes from Northern China.
This strong plant grows well on any soil and has virtually no requirements, can even withstand temporary drought.
Triangular thorns appear on the young branches and the leaves of the plant emerge in the spring. During the summer the flowering of this self-pollinating plant turns into clusters of fruits.
These fruits are initially green in color, but turn red as the season progresses. In the month of October/November when the red seeds open, the Sichuan peppercorns are ready to be harvested.

You pick the clusters of red Sichuan pepper and put them in a container to dry. The fruits open and small black seeds are visible. The black seeds are not used, only the red husk.
After a few weeks of drying, you can rub the grains between your hands, after which you can store the red skins in a dry place for one year.
The aroma of the spicy Sichuan pepper tastes slightly citrusy and when touched with the tongue you will experience a slight tingling sensation and a temporary numbing effect on the tongue.
It is best to add the pepper to the dish at the very end just before serving. The aroma disappears due to prolonged cooking.
The leaves and young shoots are also edible and taste like a mint/orange.
In Japan this is used in various dishes.
The leaves can also be dried and used in meals, just like curry leaves and bay leaves.

The foliage turns strikingly yellow in autumn and contrasts nicely with the red peppercorns.
In winter the shrub is bare, but the branches covered with large triangular thorns on a knobby bark is a beautiful sight.
Pruning is not really necessary with this slow-growing ornamental shrub. If you want to prune, you can do this by shortening any long twigs in the spring.
This shrub grows from a shrub to a small tree of 3 to 6 meters high.
Zanthoxylum simulans is very hardy and needs no protection, even in a harsh winter.
Winter hardiness zone 6a (-22ºC).