Chinese Five Spice

A simple authentic recipe for Chinese Five Spice that takes 5 minutes from start to finish! Use this recipe in Authentic Szechuan Sauce, Szechuan Eggplant,  Szechuan Tofu, Vietnamese Vermicelli Bowls and Lightning Speed Photon Soup! Video.

Origin of Chinese Five Spice

Interestingly, Chinese Five Spice is based on the five elements – fire, water, wood, earth and metal. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the five elements are manifested in different parts of the body and when there are imbalances in these elements, illness can result. For thousands of years,  herbs and spices have been used to restore balance in the body and that is why Chinese five-spice powder came to be.

Chinese Five Spice | 30-second video!

What spices are in Chinese Five Spice?

The ingredients and amount of spices vary greatly from region to region and even from household to household depending on personal tastes and preference, but the most common ingredients are:

1. Star Anise
2. Fennel Seeds
3. Szechuan Peppercorns ( or regular peppercorns)
4. Whole Cloves
5. Cinnamon Stick

How do you make Chinese Five Spice?

Place all the spices in a spice or coffee grinder and grind until smooth.

No need to toast the spices first if in a hurry, but of course if you have time, toasting will elevate! Place in an airtight spice jar and that is it!

So easy!

Enjoy the incredible aroma.

Store in an airtight spice jar for up to 6 months for the best flavor.

So easy and so much better than store-bought!

Use this authentic Chinese Five Spice in:

1. Authentic Szechuan Sauce
2. Szechuan Eggplant 
3. Five Spice Pulled Pork Tacos with Asian Slaw
4. Tea Smoked Five Spice Salmon 
5. Szechuan Tofu and Veggie Stir-fry
6. Burmese Chicken (or Tofu)  and Veggies 
7. Lighting Speed Photon Soup
8. Vietnamese Beef and Green Papaya Salad
9. Vietnamese Vermicelli Bowls 

Chinese Five Spice Powder Recipe

★★★★★ 5 from 28 reviews

• Author: Sylvia Fountaine
• Prep Time: 5
• Cook Time: 2
• Total Time: 7 minutes
• Yield: ¼ cup 1x
• Category: Spice blend
• Method: Blend
• Cuisine: Chinese
• Diet: Vegan

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Description

Here’s a simple authentic recipe for Chinese Five Spice powder that can be made in 5 minutes flat. Fragrant and flavorful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1/2x1x2x

• 6 whole star anise pods
• 1 1/2 teaspoon whole cloves (or 1 1/4 teaspoon ground)
• 1 cinnamon stick (3 inches long ) or two tablespoons ground
• 2 tablespoons fennel seeds
• 2 teaspoons Szechuan peppercorns ( or sub 3 teaspoons regular peppercorns)

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Instructions

Toast any dry whole spices in a dry skillet, until fragrant, 2-3 minutes.

Place all ingredients in a spice grinder (or coffee grinder)  and grind until smooth.

Smell the goodness.

Store in a sealed, airtight spice jar -and for best flavor use within 6 months.

Makes ¼ cup.

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Notes

Lightly toasting the whole seeds/pods in a dry skillet will create a more fragrant, intense flavor.

In a pinch you could sub 1 tablespoon anise seeds, but it won’t be quite the same flavor.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2 teaspoons
• Calories: 14
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 2.4 mg
• Fat: 0.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 3 g
• Fiber: 1.7 g
• Protein: 0.5 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

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