What is this Chinese spice?

Question

Some Chinese friends of mine gave me a jar of spices several years back. They looked like little black peppercorns and were a little spicy like peppercorns too. Any idea what these might have been or where I can get them? I loved to add one or two of them to rice while it was cooking. Just one of these little things would give the rice so much flavor!

Thanks!

Answer 1

Peppercorn from a place called Szechuan

Answer 2

peppercorns!

Answer 3

you have a picture?  or just go to a chinese grocer and look thru the spice section.  You might recognize them

Answer 4

Szechuan Peppercorns

http://www.wholespice.com/frame/?id=1816