Wiki says:

"The genus Zanthoxylum belongs in the rue or citrus family, and, despite its name, is not closely related to either black pepper or chili pepper."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sichuan_pepper

Well, I learned something new today, thanks.

Me too! Thank you!

Citrus, like the other guy said.

For a long time, importation was forbidden because the US is very protective of its citrus crop. We had to bring it back over from China.

And it requires treatment to prevent any potential incidence of canker just to be sure.

It is a peppercorn sized shell that is usually split open like pac-man. It gives food a strange numbing sensation.