Red Sichuan peppercorns
Red Sichuan Pepper (Red Huajiao)
Product Overview
Item | Detail |
Product name | Red Sichuan Pepper / Red Huajiao |
Botanical name | Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. (Rutaceae) |
Main cultivars | Dahongpao , Hanyuan pepper |
Origin | China — Sichuan, Shaanxi (Hancheng) |
Part used | Dried ripe fruit (opened/whole pericarp) |
Appearance | Purple-red to bright-red dried pericarps with raised oil glands; strong numbing + aromatic taste |
Main use | Culinary spice — Sichuan cuisine, hotpot, braising , fried dishes; TCM |
Shelf life | ≈ 12 months (sealed, cool & dry) |
Grades & Standards
A. National standard (GB/T 30391-2024, Huajiao / Szechuan pepper)
Parameter | Grade 1 | Grade 2 |
Volatile oil (dry) | ≥ 3.0 mL/100 g | ≥ 2.5 mL/100 g |
Moisture | ≤ 12.0% | per spec |
Total ash (dry) | ≤ 10.0% | per spec |
Unopened pepper (闭眼椒) | red ≤ 15% | per spec |
Same-origin foreign matter | seeds ≤ 3%, stalks ≤ 3% | per spec |
market grades (Dahongpao, by colour / opening rate / seeds-impurity)
Grade | Key characteristics | Typical use |
Common | Duller colour, low opening rate, more seeds/impurity, mild aroma | Basic seasoning, extraction, low-end braising |
Grade 4 | Turning red, fair opening rate, medium seeds/impurity | Foodservice bulk, hotpot/braising |
Grade 3 | Brighter red, good opening, fewer seeds | Mid-range foodservice, semi-premium retail |
Grade 2 | Bright red & oily, high opening rate, plump, minimal seeds, strong numbing | Premium retail, export grade |
How to distinguish grades (inspection checklist)
Check | Criterion |
Colour | Bright red & oily (top) > dark red/brown (lower); faded = old stock |
Opening rate | Higher ratio of opened ("eye-open") pericarps = better; unopened lowers grade |
Seeds & foreign matter | Lower seed/stalk/impurity = better (Grade 1: seeds ≤3%, stalks ≤3%) |
Aroma & numbing | Strong, pungent numbing → high volatile oil (Grade 1 ≥3.0; Hanyuan up to ≥8.0) |
Dryness | Crisp on snap, moisture ≤12%; damp → mould/oil-bleed risk |
Additional value-adds that raise price: colour-sorted, machine-sorted, sulfur-free, seedless.
Packing Standards:
Packing | Spec | Notes |
Woven PP bags + PE inner liner | 20–30 kg or 40–60 kg | Moisture protection |
Kraft paper bags | 25 kg (inner plastic bag) | Export standard, MOQ 1×20'FCL |
Cartons | 10–20 kg | Inner PE film (≥0.18 mm) + carton |
Retail pouches | 100–500 g | Sealed, vacuum optional |
Container | Approx. load | Note |
20ft (20GP) | 6–10 MT | Voluminous & light (泡货); confirm by stow check |
40ft (40GP) | 12–20 MT | Estimated |
Storage & transport:
sealed, cool & dry, away from sunlight & moisture; ventilated warehouse off floor/off wall; light handling; never mix with toxic, odoriferous or contaminated goods.