Prickly Ash Powder

Prickly ash powder is made from the dried bark and berries of the prickly ash tree, native to North America and parts of Asia. The bark and berries are ground into a fine powder. It has a spicy, peppery flavor with a tingling sensation.

Prickly ash powder is used as a spice and flavoring agent, particularly in ethnic cuisines like Chinese and Mexican food. It adds a unique, pungent heat and a slight numbing sensation to dishes, often found in chili oils, sauces, and marinades.

Prickly ash is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used as a food ingredient. It is not typically associated with adverse health effects when consumed in amounts found in food. Regulatory bodies like JECFA and EFSA have not specifically evaluated prickly ash powder for food additive purposes, as it is primarily used for its flavor.