Sichuan pepper is a common economic crop , generally harvested when the skin is red, the oil cells are prominently protruding, and it has a strong numbing aroma. The correct method for drying Sichuan pepper includes the following five points:
1. Drying area
Choose a clean, dry location, such as a drying ground or tarpaulin, for drying. Seeds can also be dried on a concrete floor of a roof. If collecting seeds, do not dry them on a concrete floor.
2. Spread out to dry promptly.
Harvested peppercorns should be spread out to dry in a sunny day, with a thickness of about 2 cm. They should not be too thick and should be evenly spread out. They should not be piled up to ensure that the oil cells do not break and remain intact. Otherwise, the aroma will dissipate, the color will turn black, and the quality will be affected.
3. Drying Standards
Sichuan peppercorns, when exposed to the scorching sun, will generally crack after 5-6 hours. Once the peppercorns crack and the skin loses moisture through evaporation, the oil cells are less likely to rupture. After the peppercorns have fully burst open, gently tap them with a bamboo stick or flail to separate the seeds, stems, and skin. Then, use a broom, winnowing basket, or sieve to separate the three parts, thus obtaining Sichuan peppercorns with excellent color and quality.
4. Drying time
Sichuan peppercorns are best dried and processed on the same day. Spread the peppercorns out in the sun-drying area in the morning and let them dry until all the openings have cracked in the afternoon before processing. Sun-dried peppercorns will have better quality and color. If they cannot be dried completely on the same day, they should be dried in a peppercorn drying machine promptly to ensure the color remains unchanged.
5. Precautions
If rainy weather occurs after harvesting, the peppercorns should be spread out in a clean, well-ventilated place, with each cluster laid out individually to avoid overlapping. Once the weather clears, gently move them to the sun to dry. If prolonged rain occurs after harvesting, or if drying conditions are poor, they can be dried by baking. After drying and cleaning, the peppercorns should be graded, then packaged in measured quantities in specialized plastic bags, sealed with heat, and stored in a dry, well-ventilated place.
