Sansho Pepper also known as Sansyo Pepper or simply Japanese Pepper is not at all related to western pepper or pepper corns. It is in fact from a plant sometimes called 'prickly ash' because of it's thorns.

Sansho pepper is similar to Szechuan pepper. It has an aromatic, tangy flavour without being hot. It can be used to season almost any Japanese dish.

Food Fact: Sansho Pepper has slight lemony overtones and creates a tingly numbness in the mouth.  It produces a strange tingling, buzzing sensation that is a little like the effect of carbonated drinks.