On Feb 28, 6:22*pm, Lynn from Fargo > wrote:
> Has anybody heard of "Szechuan Buttons" or "Sansho Buttons" ? Anybody
> tasted them? They were on NPR All Things Considered this afternoon
> (Sat Feb 28). *Apparently it's not what they taste like, it's what
> they do in your mouth - a feeling halfway between Pop Rocks and a nine
> volt battery. *This is not someting that has shown up at my Asian
> market yet!
> Lynn in Fargo

Sounds interesting. Wikipedia is your friend on that:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acmella_oleracea

Spilanthes oleracea L. (1767)
Spilanthes acmella auct. non (L.) Murr.

Vernacular names
The English common name, toothache plant, is synonymous with the
Swedish common name tandvärksplanta; both stem from the analgesic
alkylamides the plant contains. The name paracress is in reference to
the Northern Brazil state Pará. The fruits are also called Szechuan
buttons.

It is known in French as brède mafane and cresson de Para, and in
Portuguese as agrião do Pará and jambú.[1]

Culinary uses
For culinary purposes, small amounts of shredded fresh leaves add a
unique flavour to salads. Cooked leaves lose their strong flavour and
may be used as leafy greens. Both fresh and cooked leaves are used in
dishes in parts of Brazil, often combined with chillies and garlic to
add flavor and vitamins to other foods. A related species is used in
several Southeast Asian dishes. Consumption of portions or whole
flowers have been reportedly used to offset the intense heat of
chillies and peppers.

Popular uses
A decoction or infusion of the leaves and flowers is recommended for
stammering, toothache, stomatitis and throat complaints. Eating a
whole flower bud results in an extremely strong tingling sensation
accompanied by excessive saliva production.