We bring you the best and most interesting at Whom You Know, and after 2,300 plus posts this one may be one of THE MOST interesting. The Sechuan Button by Koppert Cress USA is surely something new for almost all of our readers: The Sechuan Buttons is certainly the strangest thing that you will ever eat. We would advise you that less is more with these little dynamites. The Sechuan Buttons do not have a very distinguished flavor but will create an “electric” sensation on your tongue. How exciting, right!?
The Sechuan Buttons, in addition to being recommended by Whom You Know, are used at Nobu. They originated in Africa/China and the electric taste is wonderful in cocktails, desserts, ice cream and sorbets.
This is our second review of Koppert Cress USA. Yesterday we recommended the perfectly pleasing Pepquino:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2009/12/peachys-pantry-pepquino-by-koppert.html
Here is what the panel thought of The Sechuan Button:
Arriving fresh via FedEx they were packed with an ice pack. This was the first time I have tried Sechuan Buttons. They say that these will be the strangest thing you will ever eat!! I agree, They are amazing. After biting, you feel a numb feeling in your mouth. This is followed by a mustardy taste that lasted for a few minutes. It was a fantastic sensation. This is such an usual food as the primary use is not nutrition or flavor but rather to impart a sensation to food or drink. It is almost like a tingling sensation, like a mild voltage to your tongue and then onto your lips. I shared just a small pinch with friends, it was so much fun to see their reaction of sensory experience. These make a great cutting edge cocktail ingredient, I blended a couple and made some mojito's to share with my friends and we all agreed, they made the cocktail ELECTRIC! Not recommended for the faint-hearted!
Sechuan Buttons are a very zesty member of the Koppert Cress menu of fantastic choices. I have never tasted anything quite like it. The Sechuan Buttons are bracing and stimulating. It stands alone as very invigorating. The Sechuan Buttons make bread a good chaser. I think in the future I will try it in a soup or stew. These are a product of the USA also, but have an origin in Africa and China. The Sechuan Buttons give an exreme sensation, only a tiny pinch is needed. These are available year-round for a fresh experience, one you won't forget! Thank you Koppertcress and Peachy for this opportunity to experience this unforgettable sensation!
Now if you like something that tingles a little spark to your palate than by all means give the "Original Sechuan Buttons" a sample. There is no doubt that you will either love it or hate it when going through this experience. Since I do enjoy spicy and hot flavors, I placed myself in the former category. Similar to the pepquino melons, in size (tiny) and packaging, the original sechuan buttons would be perfect for that appetizer or salad, or better yet mixed in with a sweet cold dessert such as iced cream or sorbet. All in all, if you like to try something new, give the pepquino melons and the sechuan buttons a try. You certainly wont be disappointed in the experience.
The Firecracker of Lemon Zest—Yes, one bite and you either love um or hate um, that’s what the box says. Boy do Schechaun Buttons certainly make an impression. The little yellow (looks like closed dandelion buds) are said to go great with sorbet. I decided to try them alone with a cold beer. At first bite, they taste rather non-descript however give them a moment and WOW! It is like a Firecracker of lemon zest bursts in your mouth. A cross between pop rocks and lemon drops leaves your tongue numb and tingly. I tried to mix it up a little and sipped my bear which made a boring Michelob Ultra sing with delightful exuberance. I can see how adding it to sorbet could clean you palette and dazzle your taste buds.
I didn't know quite what to expect when I first had a taste of Sechuan Buttons, the packaging emphasized that a pinch is sufficient, and that it should be added in a very small quantity to recipes or cocktails and desserts. Other than hot peppers, I can't imagine anything else that small that would have that big of a kick, but the Sechuan Buttons did. Just a small pinch gave off this really big burst of almost ginger-ish and licorice-like punch. The pleasant tingling sensation on my lips lasted a good half hour after that first taste. This is a great flavor enhancer to add to appetizers, desserts, drinks or basically anything that you'd like to add a pizazz and twist to. I gave it a try in a glass of tonic as well, it was quite refreshing and invigorating, almost energizing even. For anything that you make, adding the Sechuan Buttons would definitely kick it up a notch!
