Five-spice powder is a Chinese spice blend made up of equal parts star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, and fennel seeds. The flavour of five-spice powder is a balance of sweet and savoury, with a hint of heat. It is commonly used in Chinese and Taiwanese cuisine and is also popular in Vietnamese and Thai dishes.

What can I use instead of 5 Spice?

If you’re looking for an alternative to 5 Spice, you could consider using Chinese 5 Spice, which includes fennel, star anise, cloves, Szechuan peppercorns, and cinnamon. Alternatively, you could make your own 5 Spice blend using equal parts of ground ginger, ground star anise, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground white pepper. You could also use a combination of ground ginger, ground coriander, ground cumin, ground fennel, and ground black pepper.

What is in a Chinese 5 spice blend?

Chinese Five Spice is a blend of spices that is commonly used in Chinese cuisine. The blend usually consists of star anise, cloves, Sichuan pepper, fennel seeds, and cinnamon. The ratio of the spices varies depending on the recipe, but the main flavors are sweet, spicy, sour, and bitter. This blend is often used to season meats, vegetables, and other dishes, or as a marinade for meats.