Ingredients
Black Cardamom (草果）
Last modified on 2009-12-31 21:21:43 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Black cardamom pods.
It isn’t necessary, but it will scare your friends.
Sichuan Peppercorns (花椒)
Last modified on 2009-12-31 21:20:42 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Sichuan Peppercorns
Pronounced huajiao, Sichuan peppercorns are a key ingredient in spicy hot pot and Sichuan food.
Bring on the ma. Chinese split spicy things into two categories: ma and la. La is the spicy we all know and love (think chili peppers). Ma, on the other hand, is an entirely different sensation, a numbness that prepares your mouth for the fire of la.
Sichuan peppercorns are actually the dried outer shells of a fruit entirely unrelated to chilis or black pepper.
Dried Tianjin Peppers (天津辣椒 )
Last modified on 2009-12-31 21:21:26 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Tianjin la jiao, sometimes romanized tien tsin, put the la in the Sichuan spice combo, ma la.
These little dried torpedoes are vital to any Sichuan hotpot.
