Chinese five spice is an excellent addition to the kitchen. This aromatic spice is part of many Asian dishes, especially popular in Cantonese cuisine. You can get a Chinese five spice powder in supermarkets. But if you prepare it in your kitchen, in addition to pleasure, you will be rewarded with freshness and a more intense taste.
As the name suggests, you need 5 ingredients, most of which are commonly available. Moreover, you probably have whole cinnamon, fennel, star anise and cloves already in the kitchen.
A lesser-known ingredient is Sichuan pepper, which is characteristic of the Sichuan region. It is known for its unique sharp-fruity taste. Sichuan pepper is really very specific and it is quite difficult to describe its taste. The berries of this spice are mildly spicy and citrus-like. After the initial taste comes to an interesting tingling numbness.
Sichuan pepper, for example, is present in the well-known and popular Kung Pao recipe, where it can definitely not be missed. It must be used in Chinese five spices as well.
How to make Chinese five spice
Preparation is very simple. The authentic version for a Chinese five spice includes the ingredients already mentioned, but there are also some variations. You can also use black pepper instead of Sichuan peppercorns. There are two ways how to prepare this spice.
You can either use a mortar and pestle or pulverize the ingredients in a spice grinder or coffee grinder. I like to enjoy the process of crushing the spices with a mortar and pestle. The smell is just amazing!
Five spice and its use
You can use this excellent aromatic mixture in various recipes, for example with roasted meat or with roasted vegetables. It goes perfectly with pork and lamb. But it’s up to you how you spice up your new recipes. Similarly, I used a Chinese five spice in the recipe for homemade hoisin sauce, where it really can’t be missed.
This excellent spice is also suitable for some soups. I tried to add it to this traditional beef borscht soup and I must say that it was a very good and tasty idea.
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Homemade Chinese Five Spice
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 30-40 uses 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Ingredients
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 1/2 tbsp fennel seeds
- 3 star anise
- 1/2 tbsp cloves
- 1 tsp Sichuan pepper
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a spice grinder and grind until smooth.
- You can also use mortar and pestle. It takes more time and effort, but I love the feeling and amazing smell.
- Store in a sealed jar.
Notes
Chinese five spice goes well with lamb and pork.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Spices
- Method: Grinding
- Cuisine: Chinese
Keywords: Chinese five spice, homemade five spice
