Japanese Pepper Tree | Zanthoxylum piperitum Purple Leaf
√ Striking purple foliage
√ Strongly aromatic
√ Shiny, black seeds
√ Winter hardy
About the Zanthoxylum Purple Leaf
The Japanese pepper tree Purple Leaf is a distinctive Japanese pepper tree that stands out because of its striking purple foliage and aromatic, citrus-like spicy fruits. After flowering it produces fruits whose husks are used as sansho pepper, with a fresh and slightly citrus-like flavour. The tree prefers a sunny to partially shaded position in well-drained soil. For fruit production a male Zanthoxylum such as the normal piperitum is needed as a pollinator.
Quality of the fruit
The fruits have a fresh, citrusy flavour with notes of lemon and yuzu. The aromatic fruit husks produce a mild tingling sensation on the tongue and are widely used in Japanese cuisine. When used as a spice, only the fruit husk is used, not the seed.
