Chinese Five Spice

The history behind Chinese Five Spice might be a little murky, but this spice blend is a blend of traditional Oriental spices long used in Chinese cooking and Taiwanese cuisine. Ground Star Anise, Fennel, Cinnamon, Cloves, and Black Peppercorn make up this blend. Combined these Asian inspired aromas and flavors hit your senses and entice your sweet, savory, bitter, salty and umami tastebuds.

Star Anise is a spicey sweet flavor similar to licorice. Fennel has a complimenting sweet anise-like flavor that is fresher and earthy than licorice. Cinnamon has a spicey sweetness to it that enhances savory dishes as well as baked ones. Ground clove produces a warm, pungent and strong flavor that is a little sweet and bitter and black peppercorns has a pungently sharp flavor.

While the exact history is unknown for this spice blend it’s thought that Chinese Five Spice represents the five natural elements: Water, fire, earth, wood, and metal. Chinese and Asian cultures have used spices and herbs for millennia in traditional medicine to balance these five natural elements in the body and help prevent or alleviate illness.

Give your recipes some umami flair with this spice blend. Add some Hoisin sauce and sesame oil to Chinese Five Spice for an Asian inspired dish. Use it in pulled pork with Asian slaw. Give it a hint of smokey flavor on salmon or duck by using a tea smoke and five spice with your recipe. It’s delectable on beef, chicken, tofu, and veggies. Almost any dish can become an Asian dish with this five-spice blend.