Sichuan Peppercorns Are Hot Enough for McDonald’s | Eater
"The chain recently rolled out two new condiments: Mambo Sauce, a tomato-and-vinegar blend inspired by the popular Washington, D.C. condiment, and Sweet & Spicy Jam, described as a jammy red pepper sauce with a tongue‑numbing Szechuan peppercorn kick. The Sweet & Spicy Jam is formulated mostly from sugar, corn syrup, and apple cider vinegar and contains less than two percent natural Sichuan pepper extract, so it emphasizes sweetness and heat rather than authentic numbing tingle. Company messaging framed the launches as drawing on flavors found in communities across the country, and the move — coming after the 2017 Rick & Morty “Szechuan” sauce mania — signals that Sichuan peppercorn has become mainstream enough to be named on a national fast‑food menu, even if the product stops short of the real thing." - Jaya Saxena
