We love the complex, mouth-numbing quality of floral, piney Sichuan peppercorns, but their aromatic compounds are notoriously short-lived, so store-bought dried versions are often stale and flavorless. Like a bold wine that needs a bit of time to breathe, Green Sichuan Pepper Oil has powerful resinous aromas and earthy, funky notes that some might find daunting when the bottle is first opened. No need to worry: With a bit of air, that intensity mellows and softens, and the oil's complex crushed-pine aroma comes through, along with floral-citrusy notes.

Not to be confused with a chili oil or hot sauce, Red Sichuan Peppercorn Oil yields a pleasant tingling sensation instead of heat and spice. Bold and aromatic, red peppercorns have a more woodsy and floral flavor with a hit of citrus, though not as much as their green counterparts. While there are some chili products on the market that showcase the peppercorn’s numbing tingle, most mask its flavor with other strong ingredients like fresh chilis and garlic. We love this version’s clean, pure taste that showcases the peppercorn without any background notes from the carrier oil itself (a mark of quality) and how each layer of its robust flavor has been brought out—gently blooming on your tongue and lingering beautifully. A little of this oil goes a long way, but it’s easy to control how much you add with its small bottle so you can adjust the level of its addictive numbing tingle.