Brazil's answer to the Sichuan pepper

[Judi Lynn]

By Jacob Mardell
8th July 2022

With a mouth-numbing effect that's similar to – but stronger than – the Chinese spice, jambu is a potent, electrifying herb that is starting to tingle tastebuds nationwide.



Jambu takes about three seconds to kick in and then it happens all at once: the prickly buzz of electricity, the numbness, the intense salivation. It's the same unbearable yet pleasurable intensity of chilli pepper, except instead of heat, there's a cool, numbing sensation that takes a long time to subside and leaves you wanting more.

The mouth-numbing effects of this Brazilian herb, which has been used in medicine and gastronomy for centuries in the Amazon, are reminiscent of Sichuan pepper. But while the latter is a staple of Chinese cuisine, jambu has only recently begun tingling tastebuds nationwide.

"Jambu was so exciting when I first discovered it," said Fabio La Pietra, creative director of the award-winning São Paulo cocktail bar SubAstor. "It opened the door for me to Brazil's incredible biodiversity."

Jambu, known by the scientific name acmella oleracea, as well as a range of English-language monikers (including paracress, buzz buttons and electric daisy), grows and looks like a weed. During summer months, however, its mundane appearance is redeemed by tiny, button-like clusters of yellow blooms.

More:
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20220707-brazils-answer-to-the-sichuan-pepper

[stopdiggin]

1. again. something I had no clue about.

and sounds - interesting, at the very least. Trying to picture/imagine a 'cool' taste sensation. Probably one of those things you have to experience for yourself ...

[erronis]

2. Again, Judi Lynn introduces us to something special. I'll be trying it on our family

during our annual camp meeting.

Previous ones have included:
- reindeer balls (perhaps)
- grubs, grasshoppers, worms
- the hottest chilis available at the time (scoville: 100,000?)
- lots of strange beverages usually including C2H5OH

[Judi Lynn]

3. Whoa, sensory overload! Found a video of a trip to an open air market in Belem, Brazil,

at the edge of the Amazon as it approaches the ocean. A Brazilian guy plunges into a marketplace teeming with edibles. I got around five minutes into it, and backed up to get the number of minutes it took before they mentioned "Jambu." A vendor has some in liquid in a bottle, they mention they use it in a liquor there, as well as in food. That happens around 3 minutes 54 seconds. I stopped watching at 5 minutes to return here and add the link.

I had NO IDEA there were so many specific regional things to put together in just one spot. Unbelievable! It truly could make you dizzy! The video guy seems to really love that food. (You may have remembered they call the peppers "buzz buttons." )

Around 5 minutes he eats some soup with Jambu in it, and then drinks a shot with Jambu in it. He claims he can't feel his tongue, and the people around him were laughing!

At 13 minutes he mentions they also put the Jambu leaves in the food. Wow!