Timur (Sichuan Pepper)

Timur (Zanthoxylum armatum) is the Himalayan cousin of the famous Sichuan pepper. It is a berry that grows on thorny bushes in the wild. When eaten, it produces a unique tingling, numbing sensation on the tongue, followed by a citrusy, woody flavor. It is not hot like chili, but zesty. In Uttarakhand, Timur is used to make chutneys and to flavor soups. The sticks of the Timur plant are traditionally used as toothbrushes (datun) because of their incredible oral hygiene properties. It creates a mouth-freshness that toothpaste cannot match.