The New National Standard for Sichuan Pepper: A Game-Changer for Global Spice Trade
In September 2024, China officially released the revised National Standard for Sichuan Pepper, which came into effect on April 1st, 2025. As one of the key contributors to the drafting process, Rushi Spice played a leading role in shaping the new framework—offering critical insights into sensory attributes and product quality.
More than just a domestic regulatory update, this new standard represents a critical trust bridge between China’s spice industry and the global market.
🌍 From Tradition to Trade: Setting the Global Language for “Ma”
As Sichuan cuisine gains popularity across the world, the unique numbing sensation of ma—brought by Sichuan pepper—has become the signature flavor of hotpot chains, Chinese restaurants, and ready-to-eat brands going global.
Yet for years, the absence of clear benchmarks for key compounds like hydrosoluble tingling agents and volatile oils created uncertainty in export transactions. The result? A beloved ingredient that was often hard to define in trade terms.
The new national standard changes that:
Clearly distinguishes Green Sichuan Pepper and Red Sichuan Pepper as two separate categories
Introduces quantitative limits for key indicators like moisture, ash, and foreign matter
Standardizes methods for testing volatile oil content, helping quantify aroma and freshness
Removes outdated classifications such as “fresh pepper” or “cold-stored pepper”
Refines the relationship between sensory evaluation and lab-based quality testing
For global buyers and food developers, this means Sichuan pepper now comes with a scientifically reliable, export-ready profile.
📦 From Local Heritage to Global Ingredient
At Rushi, we believe standards don’t restrict innovation—they empower it.
By aligning growing practices, sourcing, and processing under a clear national framework, producers and exporters can now speak a unified quality language. This helps boost efficiency and reduce friction across the supply chain—from farm to kitchen to brand shelf.
Because only when ma can be measured,
can it truly become a shared flavor across cultures.
📁 Download the Full National Standard
Rushi Spice is proud to offer free access to the full 2024 National Standard for Sichuan Pepper (PDF). Whether you're a food manufacturer, importer, or culinary researcher, we encourage you to explore the official framework and join us in elevating Sichuan pepper to global standards.