How Much Does Sichuan Peppercorn Cost per Jin in 2019? A Detailed Guide to Selection and Storage

Sichuan peppercorn is a common seasoning in daily life; adding a little to hot pot makes the flavor excellent. In addition, it can also be used as traditional Chinese medicine, with effects such as warming the middle and promoting the flow of qi, expelling cold, relieving pain, and killing parasites. So, how much does Sichuan peppercorn cost per jin in 2019?

1. A brief introduction to Sichuan peppercorn!

1. What varieties of Sichuan peppercorn are there?

At present, the main varieties of Sichuan peppercorn in China include green Sichuan peppercorn, Dahongpao, Jiuyeqing, Fengjiao, bamboo-leaf pepper, Dahongjiao, Xiaohongjiao, Baishajiao, and others. Among them, Jinyang, Sichuan is famous for green Sichuan peppercorn, and Hancheng, Shaanxi is famous for Dahongpao Sichuan peppercorn.

2. Can Sichuan peppercorn be soaked in water and drunk?

Sichuan peppercorn can be soaked in water and drunk. It can effectively prevent colds and improve people's immunity; it can improve symptoms such as a runny nose; it can play an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory role, making toothache stop hurting; it can relieve symptoms of snoring; if women drink it regularly, it can dispel cold and relieve symptoms of menstrual pain.

2. How much does Sichuan peppercorn cost per jin?

The yield of Sichuan peppercorn is not high and picking is not easy, so the price is not cheap. If the quality is good, the price is even higher. Generally speaking, the price of one jin of fresh Sichuan peppercorn is mostly between a few yuan and more than ten yuan. If it is dried Sichuan peppercorn, the price for ordinary quality is about thirty-plus yuan per jin, the price for good quality is seventy or eighty yuan per jin, and the price for specialty products may be over one hundred yuan per jin.

3. How to select Sichuan peppercorn?

1. Take a look: There are mainly two kinds of Sichuan peppercorn on the market, one is red Sichuan peppercorn and the other is green Sichuan peppercorn. For red Sichuan peppercorn, it is advisable to choose those that are red in color, without stems, with fine skin, uniform granules, and with open mouths and few seeds. For green Sichuan peppercorn, it is advisable to choose those that are green, with thick skin, strong aroma, and no impurities.

2. Pinch it: You can pinch the Sichuan peppercorn with your hand to feel whether it is dry. Dry Sichuan peppercorn will make a rustling sound when pinched. When you put it back, observe your palm to see whether there is a lot of mud, ash, or impurities. If it is damp, or if it loses color when rubbed with your fingers, it is recommended not to buy it.

3. Smell it: Sichuan peppercorn all has a natural fragrance. Grab some with your hand, hold it briefly in your palm, and smell the back of your hand. If you can feel the aroma on the back of your hand, it indicates good quality. If you cannot feel the aroma, or if you smell a moldy odor or other mixed odors in your palm, it indicates poor quality.

4. Taste it: Take one grain of Sichuan peppercorn, gently bite it open with your teeth, then feel it with the tip of your tongue, then bite it lightly a few times and spit it out, and see whether there is only a numbing taste. If there is, it indicates good quality. If there are abnormal tastes such as bitterness or astringency, it indicates poor quality.

4. How to store Sichuan peppercorn?

1. How to store green Sichuan peppercorn?

(1) First, wash it briefly with clean water to wash off the surface dust, and place it in a ventilated place to dry off the moisture in the shade. Then, put the shade-dried Sichuan peppercorn into a small plastic bag, pour an appropriate amount of cold boiled water into the plastic bag, and seal the opening of the plastic bag well. Finally, put the sealed small plastic bag into the freezer compartment of the refrigerator, and take it out when you want to eat it.

(2) First, wash it briefly with clean water to wash off the surface dust, and place it in a ventilated place to dry off the moisture in the shade. Then, pour an appropriate amount of rapeseed oil into a pot, heat the oil until cooked, pour the air-dried Sichuan peppercorn into the oil pot, and simmer over low heat for ten minutes to make Sichuan peppercorn oil. Finally, pour it into a glass bottle, seal it, and place it in a dry place, where it can be stored for a long time.

2. How to store red Sichuan peppercorn?

Red Sichuan peppercorn is generally dried in the sun, then put into a glass jar and sealed for storage. It can also be put into a plastic bag and sealed for storage, then placed in a cool, dry, and ventilated place.

If the price of Sichuan peppercorn is cheap, it is about a few yuan per jin; if expensive, it is over one hundred yuan per jin. For the specific price, it is recommended to check the market at the time. If you want to buy Sichuan peppercorn, according to the above four small methods, you can select good-quality ones. If Sichuan peppercorn is stored improperly, it will grow insects, so pay attention not to let it become damp, so as to avoid insects.