Source of Szechuan Peppers

[On the Road]

I am looking for a place to buy Szechuan peppers. Would like to get a somewhat large amount in order to make a large bottle of strongly flavored oil. The few sources I've seen are all gourmet sites which charge high prices for small amounts. Even full-sized Asian grocery stores seem not to carry it.

One link I checked said that the US placed a ban on imports of these peppers in the late 60s, so that may account for their unavailability. But apparently the ban was lifted in 2005, so it sould be legal now.

Anyone have any ideas where to get these things?

[Warpy]

1. 2 seconds on Google turned up

http://www.sfherb.com/store/spices-culinary-herbs,category.asp

You can buy them by the pound there.

[On the Road]

2. Hadn't Turned Up That Particular Place

$8.65 plus shipping is not that bad, considering it's a whole pound. Thank you.

On Edit: Tried ordering and it seems the minimum order is $30.00. Too bad -- four pounds is a little much. :)

[Gormy Cuss]

3. The ban was lifted AND Szechuan peppers are now being grown in California.

I think the ban was in the late 90s, not 60s. I had no trouble finding them up until that point.
The latter is a limited crop but should there be another ban there will be a domestic supply.

Last I checked, there is no really cheap source. I bought about 3 oz. for $6.00 at a specialty spice and tea store in San Fran. That was in 2005 and I still have enough left for at least 6 more batches of Ma Po. The peppers are still pungent.

[Gormy Cuss]

4. Penzey's has them

Looks like $17.50 lb + shipping
http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/p-penzeysszechuanpeppercorns.html?id=H2UHbBfp