Five Spice - “miraculous powder” of Chinese cuisine

What is Five Spice actually?

The Five Spice powder is a traditional mixture of spices used mostly in China, but also in Taiwan, and it has even found its use in Hawaii. It is most often made of star anise, fennel seeds, cassia cinnamon bark, cloves, and Szechuan pepper, which gives the mixture a characteristic numbing sensation, also known as málà (a combination of two Chinese characters meaning "numb" and "spicy").

As with most spice blends, there are almost as many versions of Five Spice as there are people who use it, and sometimes it is made with more than five spices. Thus, southern China will include Saigon cinnamon (also known as Vietnamese cinnamon which is closest in taste to cassia cinnamon) or even orange peel in their version of the Five Spice blend to add a fruity note to the mix. Some recipes also mention white pepper, nutmeg, or even ginger.

What does Five Spice taste like?

It has already been said that the blend has been created to include five basic tastes - sour, bitter, sweet, spicy, and salty, and their permeation gives a robust and vibrant taste to your dishes.

Five Spice has a distinct licorice flavor due to star anise and it takes its warm and sweet tones from cinnamon and fennel. The cloves are there to give a cooling sensation, while the Szechuan pepper will give a numbing note.

Here's how each of these 5 spices contributes to the overall flavor of this spice blend:

• Cassia cinnamon has a more intense aroma than cinnamon due to a higher essential oil concentration. It has a sweet taste, but also gives undertones of spiciness.
• Szechuan pepper, which is actually the shell of the seed of the prickly ash tree, gives a fragrant and lemony aroma and is not exclusively hot. Its characteristic numbing sensation affects the lips and tongue but also opens the taste buds for other tastes and sensations.
• Ground clove gives the Five Spice mixture a fruity and sharp, peppery but also bitter taste.
• Star anise contains notes of licorice and strong warmth. The taste is pungent and sweet with a slight numbing effect and leaves a refreshing and pleasant taste in the mouth.
• Fennel is similar to anise, but sweeter and less pungent without as much sweetness.

How to use the Five Spice spice blend?

It is well known that the Five Spice blend is an integral part of Chinese cuisine and is often included in everyday cooking, but it is also used in other Asian, West Asian and Arabic cuisines. The warm and slightly spicy flavors of this "miraculous powder" are an excellent addition to any dish.

Five Spice is also great for making a glaze - mix the Five Spice mixture with honey or brown sugar and you'll enrich any meat dish, especially grilled ribs. Also, if you mix the blend with a teaspoon of oil and vinegar, you can use the marinade to coat the steak while it's still on the grill.

Slow cooking or roasting techniques allow the meat and vegetables to absorb all the flavors of this spice blend.

This "miracle powder" takes thick soup to a new level, and gives fries and rice a new dimension that will make you forget how you used to prepare side dishes for main dishes.

Peking duck is one of the more famous dishes to which Five Spice gives a famous taste, but if duck seems too demanding to prepare, try something simpler, like chicken thighs. Five Spice will refresh the preparation of vegetables, especially brussel sprouts and glazed carrots.

Roasted cashews, as well as other nuts, will become an unforgettable snack at all gatherings with a touch of the Five Spice mixture.

This Chinese spice blend is unique and full of flavor, so it only takes one touch to completely transform a dish! This layered blend of spices makes for a unique and versatile must-have in your spice collection.

The origin of the "miracle powder"

As the title itself reveals, the origin of this delicious spice mix can be found in China. The name "Five Spice" actually has nothing to do with the fact that the mixture consists of five spices, the name came from the five elements that, according to Chinese medicine, manifest in different body parts. The spices in this spice mix are also believed to be based on the Chinese philosophy of yin and yang. In cooking, the theory is that these five spices involve a balance of the main flavors with the interaction between warm (yin) and cold (yang).

For thousands of years, the Chinese have combined various herbs and spices to balance these elements, and it is believed that this is how this spice mixture was created. Although many claim that it cannot be said with certainty that this mixture has its roots in China, there are numerous speculations as to how it originated in traditional Chinese medicine in the 4th century BC.

Five Spice powder is often mentioned, but sometimes the ingredients differ, so it does not even always have to be five. The goal is not actually to combine five different spices, but to create a mixture that will ensure the balance of the five tastes - sour, bitter, sweet, spicy, and salty.

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Find the Five Spice 35g tin here.

Find the Five Spice powder here.