Szechuan
/ˈsɛtʃ.wɑːn/
Chinese Origin
Food & Drink
Original Word
四川
Mandarin (Sìchuān)
Entered English
19th century
First recorded usage in English
The Story Behind "Szechuan"
From Mandarin 'Sìchuān' (四川), literally 'four rivers', a province in southwestern China known for its spicy cuisine. The name has become synonymous with a style of hot and numbing cooking.
Example Usage
"The Szechuan peppercorns give the dish its distinctive numbing heat."
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