What's the Difference Between Sansho and Huajiao? Aroma, Numbing Tingle, Dish Pairings, and Substitutes Explained
The source of the tongue-numbing kick in mapo tofu and dan dan noodles is huajiao. It looks a lot like Japanese sansho, so many people wonder "are sansho and huajiao the same?" or "can I substitute one for the other?" In fact, while they're in the same family, their aroma, numbing tingle, and culinary role differ greatly...
