[Sca-cooks] Hot Peppers

[Terry Decker]

Szechuan pepper (zyanthoxylum  simulans) is native to Southeast Asia.  It
has a small reddish berry-like fruit which is very aromatic.  It is not a
capsicum.

Of course, there is the question of whether or not Szechuan pepper was being
used to spice foods.  Probably, but I haven't seen positive evidence of its
use.

Bear


>Question: If capsicum peppers are New World, what were people in
>southern Asia using to make their food hot?
>
>Thanks,
>Irmele