Five Spice (Chinese)

Chinese Five Spice Powder is a seasoning mix that is considered to be the perfectly balanced combination of the five key flavours in Chinese (and other Asian) cooking: sweet, sour, bitter, salty and spicy. These flavours are captured by five unique ingredients that make up the blend: cinnamon, cloves, fennel, star anise, and Szechuan peppercorns.

6 whole star anise or 2 Tbsp. ground anise
1 Tbsp. whole Szechuan peppercorn
1 Tbsp. whole fennel seeds or 1 Tbsp. ground fennel
1½ sticks cinnamon, broken into small pieces (or 2¼ tsp. ground cinnamon)
15 whole cloves or ¾ tsp. ground cloves

Place all the ingredients in a spice grinder, coffee grinder, or food processor and pulse until fine. Alternately, mix the pre-ground measurements together in a small bowl.

Store in an air-tight container.

Makes 4 servings.

Cook's Notes: We find that 1 Tbsp. of Chinese Five Spice powder is perfect for seasoning 4 lbs of meat.